Danube-European Conference on Geotechnical Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the XVIII Danube-European Conference on Geotechnical Engineering, to be held in the vibrant and resilient city of Budapest, Hungary, from 9–12 June 2027.

The Danube-European Conference on Geotechnical Engineering (DECGE) was conceived in 1963, shortly after the passing of Prof. Karl Terzaghi. In 1964, the Austrian Society of Engineers and Architects (ÖIAV) took the initiative to bring together geotechnical experts from both East and West, despite the barrier of the “Iron Curtain”.

The Danube region has long faced numerous challenges, including flood protection, riverbank stability, groundwater management in the hinterlands, hydropower development, and ecological restoration. Today, these challenges are compounded by the impacts of climate change and the urgent need to safeguard one of Europe’s most sensitive ecosystems.

Reflecting these realities, the XVIII DECGE will be dedicated to “Geotechnical Engineering for Resilience and Sustainability.” The conference will address both long-standing issues and emerging priorities, extending the discussion beyond classical geotechnical topics to the pressing challenges of our time.

The conference will be held at the Lágymányos Campus of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) on the Buda side of the Danube, just minutes from the city center. Its two striking riverside buildings provide a modern and inspiring setting, with versatile rooms for sessions and excellent exhibitor facilities, and on sunny days, participants can enjoy the terrace with panoramic views of the Danube and the historic cityscape.

Building on the success of the XVII DECGE in Bucharest in 2023, Budapest will proudly welcome the geotechnical community in 2027. Having hosted this distinguished conference in 1971 and 1990, Budapest continues the tradition of knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation across the Danube region and beyond.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, I look forward to welcoming you to the cultural city of Budapest for the XVIII DECGE.

Sincerely,
dr. Edina Koch
Conference chair, 18DECGE
President of Hungarian Geotechnical Society