The construction and real estate industry is undergoing a phase of profound changes, significantly influenced by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, digital twins, and data-driven urban development. In this context, COLOGNE REAL FUTURE is establishing itself as an independent initiative. Its primary goal is to create a platform where forward-looking concepts can not only be discussed but also concretely tested.
The initiative brings together stakeholders from the construction and real estate sectors, technology companies, scientific institutions, and political decision-makers. This collaboration is designed to achieve concrete results and go beyond purely theoretical discussions. Participating partners include renowned companies such as Siemens and TÜV Rheinland, supplemented by around 30 other organisations, who are jointly working on implementing one of Europe's most ambitious real-world laboratories for digital urban development.
Focus on concrete applications and urban development
COLOGNE REAL FUTURE will commence in Cologne on 8 September 2026 with a launch event. This full-day Innovation Forum, which runs parallel to Deutsche Telekom's DIGITAL X and has a trade fair character, will present pioneering technologies not as abstract concepts, but as concrete applications in urban space. A central demonstration area for this digital urban development will be the 115-hectare Parkstadt Süd.
The initiative sees itself as a catalyst for a new era in the planning, construction, and operation of cities. It aims to fundamentally modernise the way urban spaces are conceived and realised, and to translate digital innovations directly into practice. This approach is intended to help address the challenges of urban development with future-proof solutions and to increase the efficiency and sustainability of construction projects.
Participating partners of the initiative
- —ASTOC ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS
- —AXXESSIO GROUP
- —DANA INVEST
- —DREAMBEAM
- —HAGEDORN
- —HGESCH PHOTOGRAPHY
- —HH VISION
- —HWKN ARCHITECTURE
- —IMMORISE
- —JLL
- —KEVEE VISIONARY ENGINEERS
- —KSG ARCHITEKTEN UND STADTPLANER
- —LANDMARKEN
- —LEPEL & LEPEL
- —LINSINGER VERMESSUNG
- —NESSELER GRUPPE
- —PHASE 5
- —PILATSCH INGENIEURE
- —PROJEKT RHEINLAND
- —REWE GROUP
- —RIPKENSWIESENKÄMPER
- —SIEMENS
- —SMV BAUPROJEKTSTEUERUNG
- —SYTE
- —TH KÖLN
- —TÜV RHEINLAND
- —VBI VERBAND BERATENDER INGENIEURE
- —WVM GRUPPE
The broad spectrum of participating companies and institutions underscores the interdisciplinary approach of COLOGNE REAL FUTURE. From architectural and planning firms to engineering service providers, technology corporations, and universities, a wide range of expertise is represented. This cooperation aims to ensure the development and implementation of innovative solutions for digital urban development and to sustainably transfer the results of the real-world laboratory into practice.
