Experts Meet Reality

IBA Hamburg is a lot more than a building exhibition. It is a place to discuss topics and issues touching all the facets of the future of the metropolis. On the Elbe islands there are regular technical symposia and workshops, expert discussions and congresses organised to address this: The events of the IBA LAB series elaborate further on individual aspects and specific topics, while the IBA FORUM addresses interdisciplinary aspects of urban development on a larger scale.


Environment, climate change or migration, globalisation, cultural diversity, logistics or mobility – IBA Hamburg dares to look beyond its own nose, discusses issues of urban development, develops new solutions and reflects on them through different fields of interest of social reality.

In addition, leading scientists and international experts come to Hamburg to swap ideas and engage in dialogue with the citizens. One question is always at the heart of all events, workshops and debates: how people will organise their social interaction, their homes and their work in the metropolises of the future.

IBA organises dialogue and workshop events on an expert level – the IBA LAB series – to address important issues and aspects within the three key themes.

With these workshops on the Elbe island, which last several days, IBA maintains contact with national and international experts, as an exchange among leading specialists is indispensable for the project as a whole and at the same time a goal of the building exhibition. Depending on the topic focussed on the events are organised and documented with theme partners like the World Future Council or the HafenCity University or other partners. You can find the documentation of past events of the IBA LAB series on the "Materials" tab on the respective LAB pages.