The city of Beijing has been officially designated as World Capital of Architecture for 2029 by the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany. The designation was made on the recommendation of the Joint UNESCO-UIA Committee for the World Capital of Architecture, presided over by the eminent architect Dominique Perrault.
“As we look towards Beijing 2029, we are confident that the city’s extraordinary architectural heritage, dynamic urban transformation, and forward-looking vision will inspire new international dialogue on the power of architecture in improving people’s lives and in safeguarding shared heritage for future generations”, said Khaled El-Enany.
UNESCO and the UIA jointly launched the World Capital of Architecture initiative to highlight the key role of architecture, city planning, and culture in shaping urban identity and sustainable urban development. Every three years, UNESCO designates the host city of the UIA’s World Congress as World Capital of Architecture. The designated city becomes a global forum at the forefront of discussions on contemporary urban planning and architectural issues.
Following Rio de Janeiro in 2020, Copenhagen in 2023 and Barcelona in 2026, Beijing will become the fourth city to receive this designation. Beijing was selected for its exceptional ability to combine one of the world’s richest architectural heritages with a forward-looking vision of sustainable urban development. Its historic urban fabric, successful regeneration projects and vibrant architectural culture demonstrate how heritage, innovation and community life can reinforce one another in shaping resilient and liveable cities.
As the World Capital of Architecture for 2029, Beijing will host a series of major events and programmes under the theme “Back to Balance”, promoting architecture as a bridge between culture, nature and people. It will facilitate public learning opportunities, exhibitions, conferences, educational programmes and other events that focus on how the built environment can contribute to more inclusive, sustainable and human-centred urban futures.
The announcement follows the recent conclusion of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 in Barcelona, the current World Capital of Architecture. Beijing will continue to strengthen cooperation among governments, architects, universities, cultural institutions and local communities, demonstrating how architecture translates international commitments into places where people live, learn, work and thrive.
Texto y foto tomado del correo de
UIA <uia@uia-architectes.org>
6 de agosto de 2026