Re-Building Europe

Collaborations, networks and partnerships play a key role in the world of tomorrow. In our current time, we are witnessing megatrends that deeply impact our society, communication, collaboration and the way we live and build our cities.

FINAL FORUM IN LONDON

Join us on on November 28^th and 29^th^@Gensler HQ

We have established an ecosystem of individuals that thrive on change: A mix of corporates, investors, property companies, architects, engineers, municipalities and occupiers/residents. This exclusive group of experts and game changers keep an eye on the future, aware of the risks and challenges we will be facing. They are motivated to be part of a solution that positions us as leaders and innovators. Driven by sustainability, digitization and preparedness to adapt to changing future trends - we redefine urban district development for cities.

It may be unclear how Europe is positioning itself in the global competitiveness of future living, but it has tremendous potential to be the focus for the real estate sector. The world is changing and Europe has to adapt to it.

Our partners

Our journey

With the United Nations projecting nearly 70 percent urbanization by 2050, we need to ensure that cities are places where people will not just live – but also thrive. Transportation, public and cultural institutions, open spaces, commercial enterprises, and other integral infrastructure need to be considered holistically and adapted broadly and equitably for positive, sustainable outcomes. Accordingly, tall buildings, the natural world, and the diverse range of people and communities that inhabit them need to be woven into the urban fabric like never before.

Europe's largest purpose-built business district La Défénse has changed the Parisian skyline, giving rise to the question of how the city can cope with growing urbanization while remaining livable and respecting its heritage.

With the highest building in the EU, Warsaw’s landmark Varso Tower designed by architects Foster + Partners soars to 310 meters. It is the first addition to a new skyline that will feature 34 planned towers within the next few years. This new dense form of urbanization demands green energy and sustainable solutions from the building sector. Poland’s transition from coal to green leads the agenda and denser city plans bring new challenges and opportunities for energy transition, generation and transportation.

Rotterdam is the only true skyscraper city in the Netherlands, with 40 highrise buildings planned for construction in the next few years. The city is home to the DakPark, the largest public roof park in Europe, complete with vegetable gardens and grazing sheep. Although protected by the country’s extensivewater management systems, climate change presents new challenges, such as rising sea levels and potential flooding due to heavy rainfall.

Copenhagen was among the first cities to set up a strategic plan to achieve carbon neutrality, resulting in an 80% decrease since 2009, and it has become one of the most cited cases for its urban planning and infrastructure. In 2023, UNESCO named Copenhagen the 2023 World Capital of Architecture, prompting an array of architecture-focused events and festivals. Despite this the architects and urbanists who are building Copenhagen’s future skyline face some social, cultural and geographical challenges. Denmark’s highest natural point (Møllehøj) is 171 meters above sea level.

Frankfurt has emerged and led the way towards Europe’s typically high-rise cities. For a long time, it was home to Europe’s tallest building, the Commerzbank Tower, while at the same time having 95% of all of Germany’s skyscrapers. With more than 50 high rises currently planned or under construction, Frankfurt will see significant change over the next decade: By 2030, its skyline will have changed beyond recognition and the city will have firmly established itself as the skyscraper capital of Europe.

The variety and diversity of London’s neighbourhoods – its local civic places, especially high streets and town centres, shaped through centuries of development – have played a major role in its success and identity as a world-leading city.

Impulse in BRUSSELS, 14.06.2023

Part of the ”Thinking outside the box“ journey through the BeNeLux countries.

Impulse in VENICE, 22.09.2023

Architecture Biennale in Venice. Exclusive Eventinvitation.

Our Statements

Interview with Carlos Moreno

Carlos Moreno, Senior University Professor at Paris IAE – Panthéon Sorbonne University

Interview with Jens Böhnlein

Jens Böhnlein, Head of Asset Management and Sustainability at Commerz Real

“My biggest wish would be to start thinking in ecosystems and lifecycles and not just from start to finish.”

Interview with Ruth Schagemann

Ruth Schagemann, ACE President

“High-rises can be introduced as an element, but before doing that we need to consider repurposing existing building stock that is not currently being used.”

Interview with Karsten Nielsen

Karsten Nielsen, Director of the Technical & Environmental Administration of the City of Copenhagen

"Young people want to live centrally – and have two main priorities: ‘Can I afford it?’ and ‘Is there an outside area I can use?’
Other aspects such as architecture are way down the list."

Interview with Estelle Monod

Estelle Monod, Senior Vice President, Building Segments and Digital Energy Strategy

“We are almost at a tipping point in the industry where because of all the electrical, all the digital, because of the marrying of all the different systems into delivering a holistic view of buildings as assets, this is forcing end users, design firms, and technology providers to adjust and work hand in hand.”

Interview with Xavier Troussard

Xavier Troussard, Head of the New European Bauhaus Unit at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission

“We have the support of European citizens to make the Green Deal a transformation that improves our lives by creating better spaces and ways of living. To achieve this, we should overcome the traditional silos of society and work together towards a better, shared future.”

Moving forward together

Dr. Orna Rosenfeld, Global Advisor on Housing and Urban Affairs

“The European Union is united in diversity, which implies unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation. We Europeans do not strive to be the same, and that is our value and our uniqueness.”