The City of Gdańsk, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, will organise the European Conference on Architectural Policies (ECAP) on 11-12 June in Gdańsk, Poland, in the context of the Polish EU Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

The conference is organised in partnership with the Polish Chamber of Architects (IARP), Polish Architecture Council (PRA), Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE), International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP-CEU), Society of Polish Architects (SARP), Society of Polish Town Planners (TUP) and Gdansk University of Technology (GUT).

The event takes place under the current EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026  which foresees that European Directors for Architectural Policies (EDAP) gather under each Presidency of the Council of the European Union to consider possible initiatives to achieve a high-quality living environment for everyone, including those living in rural and remote areas, such as outermost regions. 

These meetings focus on topics such as the quality of tomorrow’s housing, the restoration, renovation and adapted re-use of cultural heritage, and improvements of architecture competitions and public procurement, and build synergies with the New European Bauhaus.

The conference, held under the theme ‘Architectural Policies as a European Standard,’ aims to discuss how the architectural policies could and should be shaped at various levels, with a special focus on the local one. These policies, aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus, should contribute towards the cohesion and attractiveness of the local urban landscape and at the same time reinforce local identities of cities and their parts. 

The issues associated with implementing these policies will also be discussed, with special attention given to the roles and positions of representatives of local administration, especially the City Architects and their offices, and the involvement of NGOs, professional associations, and chambers.

Bringing together around 150 professionals from the public, cultural, professional, and academic spheres of architecture across Europe — alongside representatives from the European Institutions — the Conference will serve as a dynamic platform for exchange.

The Conference will be preceded by the meeting of the European Directors for Architectural Policies (EDAP) on 10 June, organised by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, and a Meeting of City Architects, organised by the City of Gdánsk (special sessions – by invitation only)

The event will also include an exhibition of the 2024 European Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Awards (EUmies Awards), featuring the Architecture and Emerging categories. 

CONFERENCE WEBSITE AND REGISTRATION FORM

You can find more details and the provisional programme on Conference website which includes the registration form. 

The final programme will be released shortly.

PRACTICAL ASPECTS

The Conference will take place in the Urban Culture Institute, in Gdansk.

The event will be held in person and will also be livestreamed to ensure broader accessibility. All sessions will be recorded and made available  to all interested parties on this website in the weeks following the conference.

Tuesday, June 11:
🎧 In Polish: gdansk.pl/paes-tv1
🎧 In English: gdansk.pl/paes-tv2

Wednesday, June 12:
🎧 In Polish: gdansk.pl/apes-tv1
🎧 In English: gdansk.pl/apes-tv2

Learn more about the conference:
gdansk.pl/paes (PL)
gdansk.pl/apes (ENG)

Explore more on the topic with the ACE Publication on Architectural Policies in Europe (second edition): A panorama of the actors, policies and tools promoting high-quality Architecture and Baukultur as the new political ethos in Europe

Supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Architects’ Council of Europe has published a comprehensive report on architectural policies across Europe. Based on a pan-European survey, the publication explores the development and dissemination of these policies, the key institutional actors involved, and the tools and initiatives used to promote design quality.It also includes reference to the Member States Experts’ group report TOWARDS A SHARED CULTURE OF ARCHITECTURE – Investing in a high-quality living environment for everyone (2021) and examines the progress of implementation efforts and evaluates how architectural policies are influencing urban design and governance processes across the continent.

📘 Discover insights, trends, and good practices shaping Europe’s architectural landscape.

Living spaces: Transforming Gdańsk through community engagement

The Living Spaces peer-learning visit in Gdańsk focused on the Gdańsk Project Workshops , a methodology supporting participatory urban processes developed by the City Architect’s Office. Gdańsk, like many cities, faces the challenge of urban transformation while ensuring community inclusion and environmental sustainability. Gdańsk Project Workshops facilitate collaborative dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including residents, architects, urban planners, city officials, and developers, enabling them to co-create urban spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.

Funded by the creative Europe programme of the European Union, Living Spaces was implemented by the Architects’ Council of Europe and Eurocities.