On 5 May, the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment (DECivil) at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, celebrates its 45th anniversary with DECivil Day 2026 at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade.
Under the theme “Building the Future: Challenges and Solutions for the City of Tomorrow”, the event is open to the entire community and will bring together faculty members, students, alumni, industry professionals, policymakers and researchers to discuss the major challenges facing contemporary cities.
Participation is free of charge upon prior registration.
Designed as a meeting point between academia, industry and society, DECivil Day aims to foster knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary debate and collaborative solutions for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities. In a context marked by extreme climate events, increasing housing pressure, energy transition and accelerated digital transformation, DECivil places engineering, architecture and environmental sciences at the centre of the discussion on how future cities are designed, built and lived in.
The programme combines keynote talks, expert discussions and academic recognition moments, creating a platform for dialogue across disciplines and professional sectors.
The Keynote Speech will be delivered by António Costa Silva, a professor at Técnico and Minister of Economy and Maritime Affairs of Portugal’s XXIII Constitutional Government, who will reflect on how engineering, architecture and technological innovation (including artificial intelligence), can contribute to sustainable and innovative solutions for cities and territories in the digital era.
The event also features a talk by João Brito Portela, Board Member of Brisa, titled “Road infrastructures in risk contexts: recent lessons and future mobility challenges”.
Manuel Pinheiro, a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, will address infrastructure challenges in the face of increasing extreme events and new demands for sustainable mobility.
The event’s central debate will gather experts from multiple fields to discuss housing, transport systems, urban development and investment, featuring José Manuel Viegas, Técnico Emeritus Professor and transport specialist; Helena Roseta, architect and housing and urban policy expert; Manuel Reis Campos, President of the Portuguese Confederation of Construction and Real Estate; Sónia Alves, researcher in housing policy, planning and urban governance;
Stephan de Moraes, civil engineer, entrepreneur and venture capital specialist. The session aims to integrate technical, social and economic perspectives on the future of cities and territories.
The event’s programme will also include student awards and scholarship presentations; exhibitions of academic projects; science and technology outreach sessions; networking opportunities connecting academia, companies and society.
