WTC 2015

The 2015 World Tunnel Congress in Dubrovnik, a genuine success for the development of tunnelling in SEE: More than 1.500 attendees welcomed; Dubai elected as the host of the 2018 WTC.

From May 22nd to 28th in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association held its 41st General Assembly along with the 2015 World Tunnel Congress, co-organised with the Croatian Association for Tunnels and Underground Structures. This international event, widely recognised among tunnelling professionals and experts, recorded more than 1.550 participants, including attendees and exhibitors. 54 Member Nations of the Association, out of 73, were present. The attention was this year focused on the promotion of tunnelling in the South-East Europe Region, represented by the 13 emissaries of its countries. Many topics have been addressed during this week, with 390 technical presentations or posters, sessions on technical innovation conducted by ITA Tech and a workshop on « Aging tunnels – safety in operation during refurbishment », at the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ITA COSUF. The 2015 WTC also aimed at illustrating the importance of tunnelling in counteracting problems due to traffic congestion, flooding, and transportation, in order to face the climate change challenge. Such ambitions were notably asserted through the Opening Ceremony on Monday, May 25th, during which ITA’s President Soren Degn Eskesen, as well as eminent technical experts and Croatian political personalities such as Andro Vlahusic, Mayor of Dubrovnik, and Nikola Dobroslavic, Head of Dubrovnik – Neretva County, expressed the important of tunnels in urban development plans, notably in the booming Croatia. A good occasion as well for ITA to recall its 7 strategic mid-term goals, in order to develop the tunnelling industry over the world.