Countdown for the STUVA Conference 2023 in Munich

Every two years, the entire industry meets at this international forum for tunnelling and infrastructure to exchange information on current topics in tunnel construction and tunnel operation – and has been doing so for 60 years. The STUVA Conference has long since developed into one of the world‘s leading networking events in this field. Steadily increasing numbers of participants – apart from the last slight decline due to the pandemic, the hand-picked series of lectures with simultaneous translation and, of course, the large STUVA-Expo trade exhibition ensure the very special atmosphere of every STUVA Conference. This is the right place to get first-hand information on the latest industry topics, maintain existing networks and make new business contacts.

With more than 3000 trade visitors from over 20 countries – even by international standards, the STUVA Conference, which only takes place every two years, is one of the most important dates in the tunnel industry. This year, the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA), the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV), the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) and the German Committee for Underground Construction (DAUB) are therefore once again supporting the event through their non-material co-sponsorship. On the first two days of the event, the Forum for Tunnels and Infrastructure will offer an extensive programme of lectures with more than 60 presentations selected by a jury of experts. Parallel series of lectures for tunnel construction and tunnel operation with simultaneous translations (English/German and German/English) will provide first-hand, in-depth insights into fascinating large-scale projects and current research.

Even though no one can say how the pandemic will develop, we are optimistic that we will again be able to hold this event, which is unique for the tunnel industry. Of course, we will carefully observe the course of the pandemic and adapt the implementation to the current situation.

Parallel Lectures for Tunnel Construction and Tunnel Operation

The range of topics in the tunnel construction segment covers the following fields, among others: current developments in underground construction, major international projects, safety in the construction of tunnels, planning, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, research, mechanised tunnelling/construction methods in difficult ground, sustainability, energy production and use, and economic efficiency, contract design and financing.

In the tunnel operation segment, the focus is on the following topics: New guidelines and regulations, safety equipment, innovative safety concepts, retrofitting, modernisation, risk management, tunnel management, tunnel control technology, road user behaviour, lighting and escape guidance systems as well as fire protection and fire detection.

STUVA Conference With Accompanying Trade Exhibition STUVA-Expo

The conference will be accompanied by the STUVA-Expo trade exhibition, which has grown steadily over the past few years, where around 200 international exhibitors are now presenting their products and services to the trade visitors on approx. 8000 m² of exhibition space. This creates a trade fair landscape in the International Congress Centre Munich that offers guests a focused view on the innovations in our tunnel industry.

By the way: Visiting the trade fair remains free of charge, and we expect more than 3000 high-profile experts.

Companies wishing to participate as exhibitors at the STUVA-Expo should not wait much longer, as a large part of the available space has already been booked. Reserve your desired space at STUVA-Expo 2023! The STUVA-Expo trade fair team will be happy to provide you with further information at / +49 (40) 35 72 32-10.

Exclusive Site Visits on the Third Day

The third day of STUVA ‘23 will be dedicated to exclusive site visits and tours of highly interesting transport facilities. These tours will be led in small groups by the managers of the respective projects and will thus offer unique insights into areas far beyond the scope of any normal tour programme. In Munich, of course, much of the focus this year will be on the major construction sites of the 2nd S-Bahn main line. You have every right to be curious!

Insights Into a Milestone Project

With the Bavarian capital Munich, the venue is well chosen – after all the construction work for the major project 2nd S-Bahn main line is currently running at full speed. Naturally, STUVA ‘23 will therefore place a major focus on this core piece of railway development in the Munich region. You can already look forward to deep and exclusive insights into this project of the century at first hand from colleagues directly involved in the project! But of course, all other current topics from tunnel construction and operation are also welcome. After all, it is precisely the diversity that makes the lecture series so attractive. This year, STUVA is again expecting more interesting proposals for topics than would fit into the conference programme, so that the scientific programme committee is faced with the not entirely easy task of having to make a selection. Therefore, let us all look forward to a packed programme of lectures that will once again cover the entire broad spectrum of underground construction in 2023!

Young Forum

Since 2010, the „Young Forum“ has given young talents in the tunnel industry the opportunity not only to speak in front of the numerous experts in the plenary session of the STUVA Conference, but also to win the attractive STUVA Young Talent Award. Participation is open to young engineers or employees up to 35 years of age from all specialist fields of tunnel construction and the associated operation of corresponding transport facilities. The participants in the „Young Forum“ should already have gained initial experience in practice or science and be able to report on current new developments in their respective fields. The call for papers has already been closed. From the proposals submitted, about five will be selected for the „Young Forum“ lecture event. The audience of experts will decide who wins the competition. The award ceremony will take place during the festive evening event.

Previous award winners:

2010 Dr Jan-Niklas Franzius

2011 Dipl.-Ing. Anna-Lena Hammer

2013 Mag.(FH) Susanne Fehleisen

2015 Dipl.-Ing. Nina Wassmann

2019 Ivan Popovic, M. Sc

2021 Sophie Escherich, M. Sc. and Sebastian Kube, M. Sc.

STUVA Prize

The STUVA will award the STUVA Prize 2023 for remarkable innovations in the field of underground construction on the occasion of the conference in Munich. Every two years since 1996, outstanding personal achievements or exceptional overall projects in the fields of planning, construction, operation, safety issues, environmental protection, theory or marketing are honored.

Previous award winners:

1996 Managing Director of Construction Rolf Bielecki

1999 Dipl.-Ing. Claus Becker

2001 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Brameshuber

2003 NEAT project, Switzerland

2005 Dr.-Ing. E.h. Martin Herrenknecht

2007 Betouweroute project, Netherlands

2009 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Heinz Duddeck

2011 Citybanan project, Stockholm

2013 Baurat h.c. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. mont. Georg-Michael Vavrovsky

2015 Project Wehrhahn Line Düsseldorf

2017 Deutsche Bahn AG

2019 Dipl.-Ing. Felix Amberg

2021 Project Kombilösung Karlsruhe

STUVA is asking for suitable proposals for a worthy award winner of the year 2023! The closing date for entries is 31 March 2023.

“Servus” in Munich!

There are many good reasons to visit the STUVA Conference, and for each of our guests something else is particularly important – whether it is the lively STUVA Expo with around 200 exhibiting companies on 8000 m², the top-class lectures, the exclusive construction site tours or the great atmosphere at the legendary big festive evening. All of this will certainly offer one thing again in 2023: the very special STUVA Conference experience. Nowhere else can industry contacts be made in such a pleasant and effective way as at the “family reunion of the tunnelling industry”. STUVA is looking forward to three intensive days with you!