Future-ready cities: public investments in real estate and infrastructure for sustainable growth

Antwerp, Belgium

06 November 2025 - 08 November 2025

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Thursday 06 November 2025

17:45 Opening of the registration desk at Hilton Old Town
Address: Groenplaats 32, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
18:00 » 20:00 Welcome reception in the foyer of the Hilton Old Town
Address: Groenplaats 32, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
20:00 Optional dinner in several small restaurants
More details to follow soon

Friday 07 November 2025

08:30 Opening of the registration desk at Hilton Old Town
Address: Groenplaats 32, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
09:00 » 09:30 Welcome address by the AIJA Bureau Representative, the Commission Officers and the Organising Committee
09:30 » 10:20

Futureproof cities: overcoming challenges and capitalising on opportunities in metropolitan real estate redevelopment

Moderator: Tilda Hall, Vinge, Sweden

Speakers:
  • Benoit Forêt, Astrea, Belgium
  • Andreas Herrmann, KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Austria
  • Caroline Schümann-Cohen, R & P Legal, Germany
10:20 » 10:50 Coffee break
10:50 » 11:40 International construction standards like FIDIC & NEC: suited to redevelop cities?
Lantis (formerly known as BAM, Beheersmaatschappij Antwerpen Mobiel) is the public agency appointed by the Flemish Government as the official contracting authority for the Oosterweelverbinding. Its full name stands for “Leefbaar Antwerpen door Innovatie en Samenwerking” (“Livable Antwerp through Innovation and Collaboration”).
The Oosterweelverbinding (Oosterweel link) is Antwerp’s giant game of underground Tetris — finally closing the ring road (R1) gap around the city with tunnels, sunken highways, and clever traffic tricks.

Moderator: Bruno Stroobants, Lydian, Belgium

Speakers:
  • Laurynas Lukosiunas, Law Firm HUB Legal, Lithuania
  • Daniele Messina, QLT Law & Tax, Italia
  • Lotte Bertjens, Legal manager at Lantis, Belgium
11:40 » 12:30 Public procurement & real estate transactions: false friends?

Moderator: Dr. Bajcsay Gergely, Bajcsay & Társai Ügyvédi Társulás, Hungary

Speakers:
  • Mats Schröder, KWR Karasek Wietrzyk Rechtsanwälte GmbH, Austria
  • Tosca Hohm, Greenfort – Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Germany
  • Alexandra Eckhardt Francés, Monereo Meyer Abogados, Spain
12:30 » 14:00 Lunch
14:00 » 15:00 Public leasing: private business or public affair?

Moderator: Martin Foerster, Pitkowitz & Partners, Austria

Speakers:
  • Sarah Beischau, Blomstein, Germany
  • Frédéric Couffin, GGV Avocats Rechtsanwälte, France
  • Charles-Henri de La Vallée Poussin, Emotio Law, Belgium
15:00 » 15:30 Coffee break
15:30 » 16:30 How are ESG goals defining award criteria for real estate tenders?

Moderator: Borut Leskovec, Jadek & Pensa, Slovenia

Speakers:
  • Samuel Brückner, Borel & Barbey, Switzerland
  • Felix Schneider, Schönherr, Austria
  • JUDr. Michal ŠILHÁNEK, LAWYA, Czech Republic
17:00 » 17:30 Commissions meetings
18:30 Bus departure at Hotel Hilton for dinner
Bus shuttle included
19:00 Dinner and Party at De Ark
Address: Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium

Saturday 08 November 2025

09:40 Bus departure at Hotel Hilton for sessions
Bus shuttle included

Sessions at Plein Publiek
Address: Zonnestroomstraat 2A, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
10:00 » 11:00 How to manage unforeseen circumstances in real estate and construction contracts

Moderator: Johannes Meyer-Myklestad, Selmer, Norway
11:00 » 11:30 Coffee break
11:30 » 12:00 Keynote Address: Blue Gate Development Project
12:00 » 13:00 Guided tour of the Blue Gate site 
13:00 » 14:30 Lunch
14:30 Bus departure for optional afternoon-activity and return to the Hilton Hotel
Bus shuttle included
15:00 » 17:00 Optional visit of the museum KMSKA (guided tour)
Address: Leopold de Waelplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts (known as the KMSKA) is one of Antwerp’s absolute highlights and we are very happy to offer this optional guided visit to our guests. The museum has undergone several important renovations and, after being under renovation for 11 years (!), it finally reopened in 2022. Located in the beautiful South-district of the city, surrounded by parks, bars and restaurants, the museum has become an architectural gem and is home to classical and modern works of the Flemish Masters, as well as international top painters throughout time.
Our visit consists of a 2-hour guided tour (in English) in groups of 15 people, taking us on a journey of discovery through the renovated building along the highlights of the museum’s art collection. With guides challenging us to look at the art works from our own angle and interpretation, the tour promises to be an engaging encounter with the artists and their stories.
19:00 Optional dinner at Brewery De Koninck
Address: Mechelsesteenweg 291, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium