Building Beyond Festival in Paris: Shaping the City of the Future
Paris, March 1, 2026 – The Building Beyond Festival, a leading event for urban innovation, is set to return for its 9th edition in Paris from April 15 to 17, 2026. Organized by Leonard, Vinci Group’s foresight and innovation platform, in collaboration with La Fabrique de la Cité, the festival serves as a crucial laboratory for envisioning and co-constructing future urban scenarios.
Since its inception in 2018, this annual event has become a significant gathering for urban planners, industrialists, researchers, artists, and citizens. It is recognized as the only festival in the Île-de-France region dedicated to the construction and transformation of territories.
A Hub for Urban Innovation
Each three-day edition of Building Beyond delves into a global theme, featuring over a hundred speakers. The festival adopts a hybrid format, incorporating a diverse range of activities such as roundtables, workshops, masterclasses, “cine-conferences,” artistic performances, exhibitions, and demonstrators.
This dynamic program highlights concrete solutions in various areas, including new materials, renovation methods, and urban digital services. It also showcases works that narrate possible urban futures, engaging the collective imagination.
The festival embraces an open innovation approach, targeting both construction professionals and urban dwellers. The overarching goal is to foster a shared culture of ecological transition, climate risk awareness, and territorial transformation. Past themes have explored the challenges of digital technology and AI, natural resource management, and adaptation to climate change, all supporting this ambitious vision.
Building Beyond acts as a vital conduit, facilitating the exchange of ideas, partnerships, and solutions between large corporations, public policies, and research laboratories. This collaborative environment accelerates the integration of these innovations into urban projects.
Focus on Energy for the 9th Edition
The upcoming 9th edition of the Building Beyond Festival, scheduled from April 15 to 17, 2026, at Leonard’s site, will place a strong emphasis on energy. Key themes will include production, transport, infrastructure, and usage. The festival will explore the technical, territorial, political, social, and environmental implications of energy system transformations in France, Europe, and globally.
Attendees can look forward to a rich program featuring podcast recordings, a cine-conference in partnership with the Close Up festival, villages showcasing innovative solutions, student pitches, artistic installations, and an evening celebration. These activities are designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of this critical issue and encourage forward-thinking perspectives.
A notable addition this year is an off-site program on the final day, offering visits across Île-de-France. These excursions will provide behind-the-scenes insights into energy production and management.
Event Details:
- Festival: Building Beyond
- Dates: April 15, 16, and 17, 2026
- Location: Leonard, 6 place du colonel-Bourgoin, 75012 Paris
Further information and pre-registration details are available on the official website.
The Building Beyond Festival continues to be a pivotal platform for driving urban innovation and fostering collaborative efforts to build sustainable and resilient cities for the future.
Source: https://www.futura-sciences.com/planete/actualites/ville-paris-festival-building-beyond-fabrique-ville-futur-131574/
