A delegation of civic, preservation, planning, and environmental leaders from Charleston will travel to Europe next month for a structured urban design research trip focused on sustainable waterfront development, resilient infrastructure, and responsible tourism management — work that will directly inform the future of Union Pier, one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities in the city’s history.
The City of Charleston will join representatives from Historic Charleston Foundation, the Preservation Society of Charleston, the Coastal Conservation League, Sottile & Sottile, and Beemok Capital — the party under contract to acquire the Union Pier property — for a weeklong research program in London, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen.
The delegation will study major urban and waterfront redevelopment projects while meeting with leading architects, planners, and preservation experts to explore how historic cities have balanced growth with heritage, improved public access, and designed for long-term resilience.
“This trip represents Charleston at its best: public, private, and nonprofit partners working side by side to learn from the world’s most enduring cities,” said Mayor William Cogswell. “We share a commitment to protecting Charleston’s character while planning for a vibrant, livable future along our waterfront.”
Insights from the trip will help guide planning for Union Pier, aligning with the city’s Comprehensive Plan vision for a neighborhood that extends Charleston’s historic fabric while prioritizing public access, mobility, and flood resilience.
“This collaboration shows what’s possible when preservation, development, and city leadership work toward a common vision,” said Winslow Hastie, president and CEO of Historic Charleston Foundation. “Charleston’s story is one of resilience and adaptation. This effort continues that legacy.”
In early 2026, Beemok Capital will convene follow-up meetings to review findings and identify practical applications for Charleston’s ongoing waterfront planning efforts.