Waterfront Development International Conference 2025 newletter

  • November 17, 2025

3–6 November 2025 | The Spine, Liverpool, UK
Organised by the University of Nottingham & IACP-Europe

A Successful Inaugural IACP-EU Conference in Liverpool

The Waterfront Development International Conference 2025 has successfully concluded, marking the first flagship international event of the IACP European Chapter. Hosted at The Spine in Liverpool, the conference brought together over 60 participants from universities, city governments, planning practices, and industry partners across the UK, Europe and China online and in-person.

With strong collaboration from Liverpool School of Architecture, Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, Tianjin University, Beijing Jiaotong University, Nanjing University of Technology, Peel Waters, and Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute, the event created a vibrant platform for advancing global discussions on sustainable, smart and inclusive waterfronts.

 

Conference Highlights

  • Inspiring Keynote Speeches
    Professor Tim Heath delivered a visionary address on urban identity and waterfront placemaking, while Peel Waters shared long-term insights from their major redevelopment programmes at Liverpool Waters and Manchester Waters.
  • Five Thematic Tracks
    The conference explored: Waterfront heritage and identity
      1. Community engagement and social equality
      2. Climate resilience and biodiversity
      3. Smart and AI-driven waterfronts
      4. Recreation, tourism and innovation clusters
  • Research Presentations & Roundtables
    Presentations showcased cutting-edge research on waterfront regeneration, climate adaptation and digital innovation. Cross-disciplinary roundtables fostered lively exchange between academics, planners, policymakers and designers.
  • Field-Based Learning
    Delegates participated in guided tours of Liverpool Waters, Liverpool city centre, and Manchester Waters—linking research discussions with real-world redevelopment practice.

 

Media Updates

Some of the sessions will be soon available for boarder audience to review via the conference official website: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/fac-eng/waterfront-development/index.aspx

Our heartfelt thanks go to all keynote speakers, presenters, delegates, student volunteers and our partners—especially Liverpool City Council and Peel Waters—for their generous support.

The 2025 conference marks a strong beginning for the IACP-EU Chapter’s waterfront initiative. We look forward to welcoming you to our next international event and to continued collaboration on high-impact waterfront research, practice and innovation.

IACP-Europe & WDIC2025 Conference Committee

IACP Communication Group