ACDF in Brussels 23rd - 25th of September 2026
The Airport Cities Developers Forum (ACDF) is the annual main event of the Airport City Developers Network (ACDN), bringing together experts and professionals in real estate, urban planning, business development and property management who are shaping Airport City development.
Through presentations, workshops, site visits and documented discussion, the forum exists to foster structured knowledge exchange, connect disciplines and advance practical strategies for airport cities as regional infrastructure, economic and urban hubs.
Brussels, as the capital of Europe, provides a fitting setting for ACDF 2026 and this wider European perspective will frame the programme throughout the forum.
After having seen Vienna and Munich in the past, this year the ACDF is hosted by Brussels Airport!
Program overview:
Wednesday,
23.09
Starting 16:00
Arrival at Brussels Airport, followed by a tour of the airport and surrounding development areas, and an evening get-together near the airport.
Thursday,
24.09
9:00-19:00
+ Dinner
|
Starting with welcome words and an opening keynote. Then the two first sessions begin: Topic Block 1: Access, Connectivity & Multimodal Hubs This session looks at how airports function as intermodal nodes and how rail, road, bus, tram, walking, cycling and emerging mobility systems strengthen airport locations on the landside. The focus is on connectivity as a core factor in regional integration, accessibility and the attractiveness of Airport City investments. Breakout discussions and group presentations will deepen the exchange around the key topics and document practical perspectives from participants. Topic Block 2: Business Models & Value Creation in Airport Cities This session focuses on the commercial potentials of airport city development and addresses the commercial function mix for the Landside area : hotels, logistics, offices, conferencing and other landside uses. The economic vitality airports generate for their regions; and the influence of energy, security and mobility on future development opportunities and real estate investment models. The day continues with an ACDN update, and evening dinner and networking hosted by Brussels Airport. |
Friday,
25.09
9:00-14:00
Short wrap up from yesterdays sessions, then the third session:
Topic Block 3: Urban Integration & Innovation in Airport Cities
The final session addresses how airport city development extends beyond the terminal environment into the wider metropolitan context. Topics include long-term masterplanning, the transition from airside to landside, and to broader regional development, and the spatial, economic and urban effects of Airport City development. Which role does Airport City Developments have from this perspective?
The forum concludes with wrap-up, outlook, lunch and networking.
Wednesday,
23.09
Starting 16:00
Arrival at Brussels Airport, followed by a tour of the airport and surrounding development areas, and an evening get-together near the airport.
