Our members deal with all aspects of structural engineering – all types of structure, all construction materials and all aspects in the life of structures, from the early planning and design stages through to operation, maintenance and final decommissioning, demolition or re-purposing. Coming together in Manchester, with its unique industrial heritage and rich history of recent regeneration, reconstruction and economic growth, we anticipate a lively and informed debate on the key issues affecting the construction industry today. Responding to the climate emergency to address the radical changes necessary in the way society plans for our future is the most pressing issue of our time. The construction industry has a major role to play in finding the solutions to this urgent challenge, and as a result it is expected that a large number of international delegates drawn not only from IABSE’s members but also more widely, will converge on Manchester in April 2024.

In addition to organizing conferences and technical meetings, IABSE also encourages and conducts continuing education programmes, and publishes highly respected reports, communications and periodicals with a wide circulation. It also identifies research and development needs, initiating and supporting research activities, and confers awards for outstanding structural engineering achievements.

This Symposium in Manchester promises to be a very successful event, following on the heels of previous highly successful IABSE conferences in the UK in London in 2011 and in Bath in 2017. I am looking forward to it with great anticipation, and hopefully to meeting you there.

Dr. Tina Vejrum,
President of IABSE