The IUPA jury in Beijing quickly recognized the growing importance of urban interfaces, particularly in terms of urban coexistence in the future. Two points are noteworthy: the post-Covid consequences for the nature of office work and the impact of online shopping. Both megatrends are directly impacting the role of city centers as former urban hubs. The technological revolution that has been forced upon us by the pandemic has led to significant changes in urban planning. This is driven by the ongoing employee reluctance to be physically present in the office. Despite calls and appeals, many large companies and public administrations in Germany have been unable to achieve at least 50% of the previous levels for employee physical presence. In some areas, the figure is reported to be less than a third. Employees are increasingly moving out to the countryside, where rents are lower and liv-ing space is more plentiful. To motivate employees, several large companies are renting new complexes that offer greater spatial variety, but with a much smaller overall area, in order to save on rental costs. As a result, there are fewer personal spaces.

At the same time, online shopping has been increasing rapidly, and technologies have been perfected. It is now common practice to pay electronically and to have purchases delivered by parcel services or couriers. This trend is par-ticularly evident in China, where it appears to be more pronounced than in Germany. This in turn gives rise to significant shifts in traffic patterns, leading to fewer commuters and more logistics-related journeys. This has had a devastating effect on stores, restaurants, service providers, and other businesses near office districts, resulting in significant challenges for the retail real estate market. There is a growing awareness that city centers must evolve beyond their traditional roles as shopping and work desti-nations.

The conversion of central department stores is currently being tested in so-called real laboratories. The questions that arise in this context are: What functions are feasible and appropri-ate for city centers, particularly when it comes to gastronomy, sports, and culture? Which functions will continue to offer sound investment opportunities for developers? What are the key factors that bind and divide society? What are the driving forces in each location? The importance of amenities in inner-city public spaces is growing. At the same time, there is a growing need for places for people to interact and exchange ideas, and thus the creation of additional, openly accessible third places is also gain-ing importance.

In this regard, the IUPA First Prize project, the Harbor Masterplan – designed by BIG and located in Aarhus, Denmark‘s second-largest city – is a prime example of excellence in urban design. The transformation of a former industrial port into a vibrant new urban district has provided credible answers to the questions above. The area offers a variety of amenities, including residential, commercial, dining, and recreational options, including a seaside swimming pool. The new harbor district is an attractive proposition, with many others keen to become involved. The project‘s ability to attract both residents and office workers has been a crucial factor in its development. Its perceived success will encour-age others to co-invest or replicate the project. The area has since become a tourist attraction, which in turn has instilled a sense of pride among the existing residents. In addition, the project has attracted international interest, with large numbers of people from across the globe visiting to see the architecture and urban planning in action. Aarhus serves as an exemplary model.

The Shenzhen Lotus Water Culture Base in Honghu Park, receiving a Special Prize, appears to operate in a comparable manner. An otherwise unpleasant location has been transformed and redefined by NODE Architecture & Urbanism into a recreational space, a spacious public park situated above an enormous two-storey wastewater treatment plant. The olfactory experience should also prove as convincing.

The second Special Prize winning project in Timisoara, Romania, was a temporary urban intervention for the European Capital of Culture 2023. It involved the cultivation of 1,300 plants in a tree nursery. The plants were subsequently distributed throughout the city. This initiative not only showcased the potential of urban greenery but also ensured the optimal use of resources. We believe this was an effective way to highlight the importance of green public spaces.

Munich‘s Werksviertel, awarded the third Special Prize, developed by Steidle Architekten, has become a role model as well. Traces of the site’s earlier industrial past were allowed here; some of the halls that were no longer needed were left standing and structurally supplemented. Both past and new influences in urban development are visible. Before the conversion, the district had been used as a cultural center for more than ten years, making it a well-known location. The uses are mixed – offices, restaurants, apartments and hotels, artist studios and galleries, start-ups, schools, as well as sports facilities such as a climbing hall in a former silo.

The future of our urban centers will be shaped by several key factors, including diverse mixed-use developments, the conversion of abandoned or neglected neighborhoods, greenery and water infiltration areas to combat the urban heat, and sports and leisure facilities. These elements represent important answers to the questions about the future of urban coexistence. I believe these four winning schemes can serve as real role models for the transformation of our cities.