The REHABEND 2026 Congress on Construction Pathology, Rehabilitation Technology, and Heritage Management will take place in Bilbao (Basque Country, an autonomous community in northern Spain) in May 2026. It will be co-chaired by the University of Cantabria (UC) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).
REHABEND 2026 continues a series of ten previous international REHABEND conferences, held since 2006 in various Spanish cities. The most recent edition, in 2024, took place in Gijón, Spain, where over 275 papers were presented by professionals and researchers from 30 countries. According to attendees, the 2024 conference was highly successful and of great interest.
Construction Pathology, Rehabilitation Technology and Heritage Management are currently of great significance to the construction sector. Recognizing their importance, the organizers proposed this technical event in the Basque Country, northern Spain, with the congress venue set at the Auditorium of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Bilbao has evolved from its medieval core in the “Siete Calles” (Seven Streets), where the Cathedral of Santiago and Plaza Nueva stand out, into a modern metropolis. With the expansion of the “Ensanche” (Bilbao’s Expansion District) in the late 19th century, iconic buildings such as the Chávarri Palace and the Bank of Vizcaya emerged, reflecting the economic and industrial boom. The “Ría” (Bilbao Estuary), which divides the city into two parts, has been key to this transformation, housing the Ribera Market, the Town Hall, and modern landmarks like Isozaki Atea and the Iberdrola Tower. Modernism left its mark on the Montero House, the Campos Elíseos Theatre, and the former Alhóndiga, now Azkuna Zentroa. The urban renewal of Abandoibarra solidified Bilbao as an architectural reference with the Guggenheim Museum and the Euskalduna Palace, while the San Mamés stadium, home to Athletic Club, symbolizes the city’s footballing passion. Among its greatest technical achievements is the Hanging Bridge of Portugalete (also known as the Vizcaya Bridge), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to Bilbao’s industrial progress. Based on previous experiences, the Congress is once again being organized within the Euro-American cultural space. The official languages are English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. The organizers believe that technical papers and oral presentations, supported by graphic materials and diagrams, will be accessible to all participants, as demonstrated in past editions.