BUWOG at the polis Convention 2024

The polis Convention, one of the leading events for urban and neighbourhood development in Germany, is just around the corner again. On 24 and 25 April 2024, over 300 exhibitors will present their latest developments and issues of interest in Düsseldorf. BUWOG will also be presenting its current and future projects there. The two-day programme will focus on sustainability in planning and construction, technical innovations and opportunities for refurbishing existing buildings.

Every year, the relevant players in urban and project development gather at the polis Convention, where municipal players, urban planners, architects, investors as well as associations and students from the relevant disciplines find great opportunities to familiarise themselves with the latest projects, discuss them and widen their networks. This year, the event is celebrating its tenth anniversary, supported by innovations such as the “polisWERK.STADT” platform.

Key gathering for urban and neighbourhood development

This time the event is titled “SAME. SAME … BUT DIFFERENT – ALLES BLEIBT … ANDERS.” According to the organisers, this means that strategies old and new are needed to be able to create liveable urban spaces and a worthwhile environment for urban living in the future. Ina Scharrenbach, North Rhine-Westphalia’s minister for regional identity, local government, building and digitalisation, will support the polis Convention as patron in 2024 as well. “The polis Convention is always a terrific opportunity to discuss solutions, innovative ideas and creative interim solutions together. As the state government, we are partners when it comes to turning brownfields into vibrant centres, squares into spaces for socialising and buildings into landmarks. We are open to new innovations aimed at making cities and communities fit for the future,” the minister points out.

BUWOG will also be taking part again this year. As one of the leading private residential property developers, BUWOG constructs premium new buildings and sustainable neighbourhood developments nationwide and will present current projects and solutions at the polis Convention. BUWOG has a development pipeline of approximately 55,000 apartments under construction and in planning throughout Germany. Daniel Riedl, Vonovia SE management board member responsible for BUWOG development in Germany: “BUWOG is a reliable player and partner of industry, politics and urban society when it comes to creating new residential space. We’re looking forward to the discussions at this year’s polis Convention and to contributing our wealth of experience at BUWOG – from the redevelopment of conversion sites and brownfields to the construction of new, sustainable neighbourhood developments and the redensification of existing buildings.”

Forum for discourse on the built environment

The German Property Federation (ZIA) and the Federal Foundation of Baukultur are also providing support to the event. Reiner Nagel, chair of the Federal Foundation of Baukultur, emphasises: “Spaces shape people, and people shape spaces. The foundation’s motto describes the interaction between the built environment and us as developers, planners and builders. In order to design cities well, we need to be open to discussion and to be able to move from talk to action. The polis Convention offers the space to merge a discussion of the built environment (Baukultur) and the development of an urban environment.”

Reiner Nagel (Bundesstiftung Baukultur) bei der polis 2023

SAME. SAME … BUT DIFFERENT – ALLES BLEIBT … ANDERS: In line with the title’s theme, there will be the new polisWERK.STADT platform in addition to the conference’s regular programme. The focus of it is the promotion of young talent and workshops. The polisWERK.STADT Award will also recognise innovative ideas from students and graduates. The presentation of the polisAWARD on Wednesday is a traditional highlight in the Altes Kesselhaus – an impressive industrial backdrop, the perfect setting for a tremendous conclusion to the event.