Latvian business delegation strengthens cooperation with HafenCity University

Latvian business delegation strengthens cooperation with HafenCity University

On September 24, 2025, a business delegation from Latvia visited HafenCity University in Hamburg. This trip was organized by Invest in Latvia and includes stops in Hamburg and Rostock. The delegation is led by Latvia's Minister of Economic Affairs, Victors Valainis, who arrived with around 180 participants. The goals of this trip are to exchange ideas with science, politics and business in order to establish cooperation platforms and joint investment projects.

At her reception by the President of HafenCity University, Prof. Dr. Jörg Müller-Lietzkow, and other prominent guests such as the Science Senator Maryam Blumenthal, a memorandum of understanding was signed. This document strengthens cooperation with Riga University of Technology, particularly in the areas of sustainable urban development and the built environment. The minister also opened a series of meetings in Hamburg and held discussions with Hamburg senators Andreas Dressel, Katharina Fegebank and Melanie Leonhard.

Thematic programs and exchanges

The business delegation was divided into various thematic programs focusing on key areas such as defense industry, construction, logistics, biotechnology, smart energy, financial technology and information technology. This shows Latvia's ambitions to strengthen bilateral relations and promote innovative solutions in these sectors.

HafenCity Hamburg GmbH has been committed to sustainable construction since 2007 and awards the HafenCity eco-label. This has been a requirement for the listing of properties in HafenCity since 2010. From 2017, the highest award level, Platinum, became mandatory for all new buildings in HafenCity. These developments are part of a comprehensive strategy to promote sustainable urban development.

Sustainability and innovative construction projects

In HafenCity, a variety of innovative projects serve as a real-world laboratory for sustainable construction. These include, among other things, wooden high-rise buildings and zero-emission houses. The sustainability requirements include a life cycle analysis and aim to reduce gray energy. Gray energy refers to the energy required for material extraction, production, transport and installation of components.

To reduce the ecological footprint, renewable raw materials, CO2-reduced steel and recycled materials are used. Green roofs and facades also play an important role in promoting the microclimate and biodiversity in urban spaces. Documenting the materials and their separability makes recycling and reuse during dismantling easier, which further supports sustainability efforts.

The challenges of sustainable urban development are global, as over 50% of the world's population already lives in cities and this proportion will increase to around 70% by 2050. Climate change, affordable housing and social justice are some of the issues that make international cooperation essential. In this context, Germany plays an active role in international dialogue and the exchange of experiences in urban development.

The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB) promotes a variety of international collaborations in order to learn from innovative approaches in other countries. Germany's experiences in the areas of participation, subsidiarity and orientation towards the common good are brought into play. There are also bilateral collaborations with strategically important partner countries in areas such as affordable housing and urban mobility, which sets the course for future-oriented urban development.

In summary, the Latvian delegation's visit to HafenCity University underlines both the importance of international cooperation and the commitment to sustainable urban development processes in Germany and Latvia. These efforts are not only important for the countries involved, but also offer valuable insights into the design of urban spaces for a sustainable future.