World Capital of Architecture 2023 Copenhagen

Copenhagen has agreed to become the world capital of architecture in 2023. It has been decided on 5 May 2020 by the Economics Committee of the City of Copenhagen, which has allocated DKK 6.5 million for the development and organization of the World Capital of Architecture in Copenhagen in 2023. World Capital of Architecture is a new title established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) and UNESCO and offered to the city hosting the UIA World Congress of Architects.

“The synergy between the World Capital of Architecture and the World Congress of Architects has the potential to make Copenhagen even stronger as the capital of architecture, and will together embrace both citizen-oriented initiatives as well as activities aimed at the professional and business-oriented audience,” says Annette Blegvad, Director of UIA 2023 CPH, and continues:

“We look forward to further cooperation with the City of Copenhagen, UIA and UNESCO on the opportunity to put extra focus on the value architecture, planning and design create for the individual and for our society”.

The title year as the World Capital of Architecture will be unfolded by the City of Copenhagen in close cooperation with UIA, UNESCO and the Secretariat of the UIA 2023 CPH. In addition, a partnership platform will be set up to ensure side events, experiments and research, in which Danish advisors, companies, creative talent environments and education will become co-creators of a broad citizens' track.

“The involvement and participation of civil society is vitally important for the development of cities that are socially inclusive, safe to move in and that are adaptable to, for example, economic or climate change. It is therefore extremely positive that the City of Copenhagen has chosen to support large and small civil society events in Copenhagen throughout 2023, focusing on the role of architecture. We believe it will inspire others,” says Anne Mette Rahbæk, Danish National Commission for UNESCO.

Copenhagen today has a central and important voice when it comes to urban planning and the sustainable transformation of cities. A year of architecture will be able to expand the special position Copenhagen holds and at the same time create a close connection with the city's citizens. Copenhagen is a great example of cities being one of the best change agents of our time in the fight against climate change and is today one of the world's most innovative and green cities. The many examples of urban life and urban development that try to accommodate all the city's citizens and to the urban nature create a solid foundation for Copenhagen as the world's capital of architecture in 2023. The city is a living laboratory for sustainable transformation, with all that the city holds of industry and know-how in the field of green solutions.

The World Congress of Architects — UIA 2023 CPH — will take place in Copenhagen on 2 — 7 July 2023 with an expected 10-15,000 attendees, and will in itself be a beacon for the World Capital of Architecture 2023. Here, the city is populated by committed people within the built environment from all over the globe who want to come to Copenhagen to listen, learn and share knowledge.