A University of Architecture and Urban Development
HafenCity University opened its doors in 2006 with a clear vision: to transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to find solutions to the growing challenges facing our cities. HCU has remained true to this vision to this day. For 20 years, it has brought together all facets of the built environment under one roof: architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, geomatics, urban design and the cultural and social sciences. This combination is typical for HCU – interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and forward-looking.
In this anniversary year, we invite you to join us at various events to look back on 20 years of research, teaching, and innovation while looking ahead to the future.
A message from the President on the occasion of the anniversary
HafenCity Universität Hamburg’s milestone anniversary: Twenty – the start of maturity phase 2
The idea of a specialised university, such as HafenCity Universität Hamburg, is not fundamentally new, and yet it was and remains so in this specific context. The founding of “HCU” is not merely an act of political will, but also an extraordinary experiment. A pre-programmed clash of cultures leading to the genesis of a “new type of university” – this is how one might interpret the decision, based on the founding document from 2006. The bringing together of people from the Technical University of Harburg, now the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW) and the University of Fine Arts (HfBK) in a melting pot dedicated to architecture and urban development is unique within the academic landscape of the Federal Republic of Germany and its history.
Congratulations!
Katharina Fegebank
Second mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to HafenCity Universität Hamburg on its 20th anniversary! Over the past two decades, HCU has become a beacon for sustainable urban development – particularly with regard to the potential of digital technologies. Its commitment to actively shaping the city of tomorrow inspires students, staff and the wider urban community alike. I would like to thank everyone who has helped shape this journey and wish HCU continued success, creativity and a pioneering spirit for the future.
Professor Steven Spier
Founding President of HafenCity Universität Hamburg
What a bold idea! To establish a new university in a new urban development area, one that focuses solely on the essential departments – a university in miniature – in order to concentrate on the pressing, current issues facing the built environment. Planning the HCU was an exciting, if challenging, opportunity right from the start – truly unique. And it has now been in existence for 20 years. I am very proud to have been able to play a part. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Niels Helle-Meyer
Founding Chancellor of HafenCity Universität Hamburg
My time as founding chancellor was both challenging and exciting. The merger of the HCU from three different types of higher education institution had never been attempted in Germany before. We had to break new ground, strike compromises and strike a new balance between the chairs. And even back then, we had to make significant savings. We mastered this and successfully established the university on the banks of the Elbe. I am delighted that the HCU can now celebrate its 20th anniversary and offer my warmest congratulations!
Karin Loosen
President of the Hamburg Chamber of Architects
In 2006, several degree programmes – each with their own distinct traditions, working methods and ethos – were separated from three different institutions and merged into a new university. It was an experiment, but today, 20 years on, we can say it has been a success. HafenCity Universität offers high-quality degree programmes and has become an integral part of Hamburg. May it continue to grow and flourish. Congratulations, HCU!
Dr. Herlind Gundelach
Senatorin a.D.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the HCU on its 20th anniversary. It has fully lived up to the expectations placed upon it at its inception and continues to provide fresh and fruitful impetus for urban development.
Prof. Dr. Werner Sobek
First Chair of the university council in the history of HafenCity Universität
As the first Chair of the university council in the history of HCU, I had the privilege of shaping the academic direction of this institution, which is so vital to our construction industry. It is wonderful to see today that the ideas and concepts I developed during that time have been so successfully implemented in teaching and research. I consider it a privilege to have been able to help shape and support the university through my work.
Dr. Dorothee Stapelfeldt
Senatorin a.D.
A university with a clear identity and a distinct academic profile: that was the clear objective for HafenCity Universität Hamburg during its founding phase. With a strong sense of belonging and community spirit, this specialist university has successfully set out on its journey.
To meet the challenges of urban development and construction, we need architects, urban planners and landscape architects who can develop the cities of the future with a view to climate change, sustainability, demographic change and, above all, innovation. I wish HCU, its students and staff all the best and the finest ideas for your and our future!
The President’s speech at the ‘20 Years of HCU’ reception
20 years of eventful history, or 20 years of HCU – Not a retrospective, but reflections on (academic) freedom
There are easier speeches than the one I have been given the honour of delivering today. Today, we must strike a balance: in what is certainly a challenging situation for the HCU, we need to convey a certain light-heartedness to mark its 20th anniversary, whilst remaining clear and unambiguous. I would therefore ask for your forgiveness in advance for refraining from a purely light-hearted eulogy, whilst still wishing to highlight one or two achievements of and by the people at and within the HCU.
I would also like to ask, however, that we view this special day for what it is: a birthday. And birthday boys and girls are allowed to make a wish. I shall return to this wish at the end of my short speech – before we get to the usual line in such speeches: There is only me standing between you and the food – I shall endeavour not to overrun the time ;)
Save The Date! These are the highlights of the anniversary year
In 2026, HafenCity University Hamburg will celebrate its anniversary with a variety of events and workshops. Mark your calendars now for the key dates and join us in the celebration.
21 May 2026 at 6.00 pm
Workshop as part of Hamburg’s European Weeks
HafenCity Universität: Room 4.031
As part of Hamburg’s European Weeks, HafenCity Universität invites you to a workshop on the topic of ‘AI and Digital Methods & Innovation, City and Architecture’.
10 June 2026 from 6 pm
Reception
HafenCity Universität
We will be welcoming our invited guests from the university, the world of politics, academia and the wider community to our university at a reception.
11 June 2026 from 10.00 am
HCU in Dialogue
HafenCity Universität
HafenCity Universität is opening its doors and inviting everyone – from university staff and students to the wider community – to take a look behind the scenes. Interdisciplinary lectures, workshops and hands-on experiments under the theme “Interdisciplinary Answers to Global Questions about Our Built Environment”. An event as part of the Hamburg Architecture Summer 2026.
11 June 2026 at 5.00 pm
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra performing works by Beethoven, Mozart and more!
HafenCity Universität Foyer
As part of the HCU in Dialogue event, the wind trio of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra will perform works by Beethoven, Mozart and more in the foyer of HafenCity Universität!
Information on the Junger Freundeskreis des NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
11 June 2026 at 5.30 pm
Cape to Cairo in 150 Days – An Engineer’s Experiences
HafenCity Universität
Keynote by Prof. Dr Mike Schlaich in English as part of HCU in Dialogue.
11 June 2026 from 6 pm
HCU Terrace Party
HafenCity Universität Elbterrasse
A festive conclusion to HCU in Dialogue: Celebrate together on the HCU terrace in HafenCity, right by the River Elbe.
18–25 June 2026
Exhibition: FIRST – From the First Stroke to Space
BDA Hamburg Gallery, Shanghaiallee 6, 20457 Hamburg
The exhibition “FIRST – From the First Stroke to Space” demonstrates how architectural thinking takes shape in the first year of architecture studies. An invitation to reflect on teaching today and tomorrow at the BDA Hamburg Gallery.
26 June–3 July 2026
Hamburg Sustainability Week
Hamburg Sustainability Week (Week) is a series of events focusing on sustainable development in Hamburg. Under the motto “We are shaping the future. Together.”, initiatives, organisations, companies and institutions across the city will open their doors from 26 June to 3 July 2026 for discussions, workshops and participatory events. HafenCity Universität Hamburg is taking part with several workshops and lectures.
Programme information and registration
1 July 2026 from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Sustainability workshop at the Chamber of Commerce
Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
Under the mottos “Making the construction transition simple. Research in dialogue with the city & practice” and “Digital and sustainable”, HafenCity Universität Hamburg is offering two workshops as part of “Hamburg Sustainability Week”.
Further informationen on the programme and registration
13 November 2026 from 5.45 pm to 8.30 pm
Hamburger Horizonte
The aim of fostering an open exchange between academia and society unites the three initiators. Since 2017, they have therefore been jointly organising “Hamburger Horizonte”, an annual series of events on varying topics of particular social relevance.
In cooperation with the HCU and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg, two lectures will take place on 13 November.