Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj
World Congress for architects and architecture
What to explore at Danish Architecture Center?
On July 2–6, Copenhagen is hosting the UIA World Congress of Architects – the world’s largest congress on sustainable architecture and construction. Included in the congress ticket for each attendee is unlimited free admission to Danish Architecture Center (DAC) and the BLOX building, which will be buzzing with activity every day until 10 p.m.
Architects, NGOs and decision-makers from around the world will be making their way to Copenhagen in July to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. The construction industry is responsible for 40% of all CO2 emissions, and overall cities are thought to be responsible for 75% of global emissions. So radical change is needed if we are to create sustainable cities for everyone – and that is the theme of the upcoming UIA World Congress.
For the duration of the congress, Danish Architecture Center will serve as an informal hub for Copenhageners, Danish architects and visitors from around the world.
Extended Opening Hours and Plenty of Activity
The UIA World Congress ticket includes not only admission to the Bella Center conference center, but also free admission to DAC on July 2–6. In addition – DAC will have extended opening hours and be full of music, guided tours, family workshops for kids, talks in English and events where new connections and collaborations can happen.
For example, there will be a joint event in the BLOX building where DAC, in collaboration with BLOXHUB, Creative Denmark and Danish Design Center, invites all UIA attendees to get lost (!) in BLOX and strike up conversations with an architect from Chile whom they might otherwise never have met.
Architecture Run for Everyone
The UIA week starts on Sunday with the popular DAC Architecture Run. The aim is not to run the route as fast as possible, but rather to experience Copenhagen in a new way as we run through beautiful buildings and secret passageways.
If you would rather walk or sail, DAC is behind several congress tours of Nordhavn, Carlsberg and other locations, which attendees are more than welcome to join.
The week will round off on Thursday with an AfterDAC session in English based on the theme of the congress, “Leave no one behind”, hosted by Danish architect and TV personality Ane Cortzen. Mark your calendar – and postpone your summer holiday!
Host an Architect
If you have an extra sofa or bed, then why not invite an architect to come and stay? Copenhagen is an expensive city to stay in – but inexpensive lodgings are available in private homes through ArchiStay.
UIA at a Glance
The Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) was established in 1948 – when Europe faced the daunting task of rebuilding after World War II. Now, we are facing a new crisis – one which requires radical new thinking by architects and the entire construction industry in order to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. UIA has more than 1.3 million members, giving members the opportunity to meet at the World Congress every three years. In 2023, the UIA is celebrating its 75th anniversary and the World Congress will be hosted for the first time in a Nordic country.
Program filled with prominent names
The congress takes place at the Bella Center conference center on July 2–6 and features keynotes by such prominent names as author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, architect Bjarke Ingels, researcher Carlo Ratti and former European Commissioner Connie Hedegaard. The main theme of the congress is “Leave no one behind” – and is broken down into six sub-themes related to the UN’s Global Development Goals: Climate Adaptation, Health, Inclusivity, Partnerships for Change, Resilient Communities, and Rethinking Resources.