RECOGNIZING SUSTAINABLE PORT CITY DESIGN
The development of port and urban activities is a major challenge in an increasingly uncertain environment, political and social contexts. Port cities of all sizes and types have to reinvent themselves systemically, as they are at the forefront of major global and societal changes. In this context, the spatial relationship between the port and city, two distinct entities, at once antagonist and interdependent, constitutes a prosperous breeding ground from which remarkable urban projects have emerged. Indeed, port cities together with port authorities on the five continents, have re-examined the port-city relationship through the prism of unique urban developments and emblematic architectural works.
The AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht aims to celebrate these outstanding port city projects and the way they address the port city relationships in the context of sustainable development.
2026 EDITION OF THE AIVP PRIZE ANTOINE RUFENACHT
The first edition—bringing together 23 projects, selecting 6 finalists, and distinguishing one special mention and one laureate—clearly demonstrated the relevance and impact of this initiative led by AIVP, the International Association of Cities & Ports. Building on this success, the Prize will return in 2026 with the same ambition: to recognize and showcase the most outstanding port-city interface projects that embody a strong commitment to sustainable development.
How the Prize is awarded?
Interested in applying for the Prix AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht? Do not miss the key dates:
2 March to 31 July
2026
Preparing and submitting applications
September
2026
Meeting of the Expert panel: selection of the finalist applicants
2 and 3 November
2026
Meeting of the Grand jury: choose of the winner
3 to 6 November
2026
AIVP World Conference in Dunkirk: official Prize ceremony
International co-chair
Geraldine Knatz, Los Angeles (United States)
Co-chair of the Grand jury
Geraldine Knatz is the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees at AltaSea. Located in San Pedro, California, this project is transforming 35 acres of land in the Port of Los Angeles into an ocean-side innovation campus. Geraldine is also Professor of the Practice of Policy and Engineering, a joint appointment between the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy and the Viterbi School of Engineering. She was the first woman to serve as the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.
Carola Hein, Delft (Netherlands)
Co-chair of the Expert panel
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carola Hein is Professor and Head of the Chair of History of Architecture and Urban Planning at Delft University of Technology. She is the founding director of the PortCityFutures Center, which investigates the evolving spatial use and design of port city regions over time, in particular addressing when port and city activities occur in the same places and sometimes conflict. Carola is also the Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair on Water, Ports and Historic Cities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht is open to port, local and regional authorities who realized an oustanding development project. To be eligible, applicants should meet the following criteria:
Port city interface
The project must be located in a city port interface zone and/or on a former port site.
Completion
The project must have been completed in the last three years.
Promoting global development
The project must promote a global development strategy for the port city.
Sustainable development
The project must be in line with the sustainable development goals identified in the Agenda 2030 by AIVP.
For further information
Find out all the latest news about the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht:
Results of the 2024 edition of the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht
AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht: Grand Jury meets
Meet the finalists for the first edition of the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht
The Internationa Association Cities & Ports
The International Association Cities & Ports (AIVP) is an NGO whose mission is to improve the port-city relationship by establishing and developing dialogue and cooperation between local authorities, port authorities, citizens, and economic players, and has been doing so for over 35 years.
Today, almost 200 port cities of the world are members of the AIVP, with the ambition of making port city dialogue the basis of their urban, port, and economic development projects.
“The creation of the AIVP Antoine Rufenacht Prize is designed to foster dialogue and encourage the replication of best practices for a safer and more sustainable future, to ensure our port cities remain sources of life, work, and pride.”
Édouard Philippe
AIVP President
Mayor of Le Havre (France)
Former Prime Minister
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