Utopian Hours — the international festival of city making that brings to Rotterdam the ideas, projects, and places that are improving life in cities around the world
May 28-29th, 2026
Ten Years Edition / Part 1
Rotterdam, Netherlands
GHG Rotterdam
The leading event in Europe for city makers: meet professionals, city makers, administrators and businesses
GET YOUR TICKET!Tickets are now online! Take advantage of the Early Bird promo, only for a limited time
TICKETS
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Early Bird
Professional PassJoin with the exclusive benefits of the Professional Pass, fostering networking and knowledge exchange.
€ 336
Buy now! -
Early Bird
Festival PassAccess all the talks and debates of the international festival of city making.
€ 64
Buy now! -
Normal rate
Professional PassJoin with the exclusive benefits of the Professional Pass, fostering networking and knowledge exchange.
€ 395
Coming soon -
Normal rate
Festival PassVenerdì, sabato o domenica? Acquista il tuo pass per partecipare a un singolo giorno di Utopian Hours alla Centrale Lavazza.
€ 75
Coming soon
Are you a student? Join the festival with a discount
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Early Bird
Festival Pass - StudentsYour discounted access to the two days of Utopian Hours
€ 38
Buy now! -
Normal rate
Festival Pass - StudentsYour discounted access to the two days of Utopian Hours
€ 45
Coming soon
The event for all city lovers
The key actors in the global debate on the future of cities, in Rotterdam
International speakers — Full lineup coming soon
Boston • New York • Londra • Freetown • Dubai • Philadelphia • Bruxelles • Rotterdam • Bratislava • Washington DC • Berlin • Miami • Jakarta • Tallinn • Copenhagen • Teheran • Paris • Johannesburg • Manchester • Amsterdam • Marseille • Palo Alto • Ljubliana • Zurich • Bangkok • Hong Kong • Detroit • The Hague • Denver • Montreal • Helsinki • Toronto • Prague • Basel • Oslo • Barcellona • Arcosanti • Los Angeles • Mumbai • Brisbane • Tel Aviv • Lisbona • Monaco • Vienna
Join with the exclusive benefits of the Professional Pass, fostering networking and knowledge exchange, and including access to:
✶ Two Roundtables and their reports
✶ Free reports of the Roundtables you joined + 50% discount on all other reports
✶ All keynotes and panels
✶ Free drinks & bites on the Opening Night
✶ Welcome Kit with a complimentary copy of our “Manifesto for City Making”
✶ Priority access to 2 City Tours
GET YOUR PROFESSIONAL PASS
The Roundtables of Utopian Hours Rotterdam Ten Years Edition
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#1 — Future Proof Freshwater Systems
A changing climate leads to longer wet periods with more rainfall, as well as extended periods of drought. Especially in spring and summer, freshwater shortages increasingly affect shipping, industry, and urban green spaces. In addition, water quality in open water is deteriorating rapidly, with consequences for ecology and the usability of (open) water. This calls for a different approach.
Roundtable sponsored by the City of Rotterdam / City Maintenance – Water Department -
#2 — Carbon City
Much attention is given to CO₂ and the way we build. That discussion often focuses on architects and builders, yet this only accounts for 15–20% of annual CO₂ emissions. Lifestyle and the way we use buildings represent a much larger share. This means the challenge extends beyond the building itself — it affects the entire urban environment.
Roundtable sponsored by the City of Rotterdam / City Development – Urban Development Department -
#3 — Just Green: Climate Action for All
In Rotterdam, multiple challenges related to green and water come together in our Green Water City strategy. We observe that wellbeing, health and social inclusion are crucial factors for achieving our goals. The principle of Just Green aims to enable bottom-up greening, with specific attention to reaching the people who are hardest to engage but often most affected by climate risks such as heat and flooding.
Roundtable sponsored by the City of Rotterdam / City Development – Urban Development Department in collaboration with the Social Department -
#4 — Third Spaces & Community Hubs
Third places are spaces outside home (first place) and work (second place) where people come together informally, relax, meet others and become part of a community. This Roundtable aims to involve creatives and social entrepreneurs to explore how libraries, cafes, and transformed spaces act as vital “social glue,” fostering community connection and rebuilding modern social infrastructure. A discussion that will also lead to an inspiring tour of Rotterdam’s third places.
Roundtable sponsored by the City of Rotterdam / Cultural Department -
#5 — Gender-Inclusive Public Space
Gender-inclusive and safe public spaces are highly topical, with many new toolkits and guidelines emerging. The risk is that “quick fixes” dominate, without clarity about what truly works, who the target group is, and how we involve them meaningfully.
Roundtable sponsored by the City of Rotterdam / City Development – Urban Development Department in collaboration with the Social Department
The formats of Utopian Hours 2026
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The Urbanites’ Fair
Getting to know the city’s storytellers
The programme of Utopian Hours Rotterdam also includes a space for magazines, publishers, collectives, informal networks, associations and content creators. A Urbanites’ Fair with some of the best independent organisations involved in urban culture and dissemination, from the Netherlands and beyond. -
Exhibitions
The festival is enriched by exhibitions curated by its guests and the Stratosferica team. The edition in Rotterdam will transform the GHG venue to provide a special experience for all city lovers.
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City Tours
Not only talks and keynotes. During the Utopian Hours festival weekend, special tours of Rotterdam will be organised. More info coming soon!
Utopian Hours Rotterdam is possible thanks to:
The venue of Utopian Hours Rotterdam
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GHG Rotterdam
What they say about Utopian Hours
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“Utopian Hours brings together an eclectic and diverse group of practitioners, thinkers, and doers who all share one thing in common: a love of cities. The camaraderie and energy throughout the conference are constant reminders of just how small the world is and the work to make cities more inclusive, sustainable, vibrant places is truly a global collective endeavor.”
Ya-Ting Liu /
Chief Public Realm Officer - New York City -
“Such a great festival, Utopian Hours! I was lucky enough to be invited to speak alongside some of the most inspirational and impactful thinkers in City Making. I highly recommend everyone attend in 2025.”
Matt Grunbaum /
Field Operations -
“Experiencing Utopian Hours is something special-the beautifully curated line-up of speakers, the seamless organization, thoughtful branding, top- tier production, and the inspiring community all come together to create an unforgettable event. Truly blown away!”
Nadina Galle /
The Nature of Our Cities -
“Utopian Hours facilitates an exciting cross-pollination of inspiring ideas on urban development, approached from different disciplines and backgrounds. It demonstrates that sustainability and social inclusion are crucial to achieving a livable, future-oriented city.”
Nick Hannes /
Photojournalist and documentary photographer -
“I was lucky enough to spend the weekend in Torino for Utopian Hours—one of the most exciting city-making festivals in the world.”
Sarah Castle /
IF_DO -
“Better cities can only emerge when we truly listen to one another: Utopian Hours is a powerful platform, bridging top architects and planners with grassroots leaders, proving there are diverse ways to make a meaningful impact.”
Januus Juss /
Telliskivi Creative City -
“Utopian Hours is the festival to go to if looking to be inspired by and get immersed in the many dimensions of urban transition and to make new friends”
Roland Kager /
Studio Bereikbaar
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