In September, Warsaw will become a meeting place for experts, city representatives, and practitioners discussing the future of urban rivers. On 3 – 4 September 2026, the Copernicus Science Centre will host the first international conference, United by Rivers: Flow, Friction, Future.
The event will focus on how river cities can balance environmental protection, residents’ needs, and the development of modern metropolitan areas. Topics will include sustainable waterfront development, climate adaptation, urban planning, and tourism strategies that remain in harmony with the natural environment.
The conference will bring together participants from Poland, Europe, and around the world. The first day will be dedicated to cooperation among Polish cities along the Vistula River, while the second, international day will feature representatives of river cities such as Riga, Düsseldorf, Zaragoza, Turin, London, Paris, Chicago, and Seoul.
A key moment of the conference will be the signing of the United by Rivers Declaration, a document emphasising the importance of cooperation between river cities and joint action for the sustainable development of waterfront areas.
The event is organised within the framework of the EU Local Dialogues initiative of the European Committee of the Regions. Partners include the Association of Vistula River Cities and the Warsaw Tourism Organisation / Warsaw Convention Bureau.
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