100th Geotechnical Seminar on 1 July 2026: Keynote speech by Johannes Kirstein on the Hamburg U5 elevated railway construction project – followed by a get-together, hybrid
The Institute of Geotechnical Engineering at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) is hosting the 100th Geotechnical Engineering Seminar on 1 July 2026. With this anniversary, the university is also celebrating ten years of a format that has established itself as a permanent platform for exchange between academia, the construction industry, business and public administration.
The event will begin with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr Ralf Thiele, organiser and Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at HTWK Leipzig; Prof. Dr Faouzi Derbel, Vice-Rector for Research and Sustainability at HTWK Leipzig; and Dr Torsten Loschke, Head of the Knowledge Policy Unit at the City of Leipzig. This will be followed by a keynote speech by Johannes Kirstein, Head of Technical Implementation for U5 East at Hochbahn U5 Projekt GmbH. Under the title ‘Challenges in the construction of the new U5 elevated railway line in Hamburg’, he will provide exclusive insights into the planning and implementation of one of Germany’s most significant transport and infrastructure projects at present. The event begins at 5.15 pm in the Trefftz Building at HTWK Leipzig. Attendance is free of charge for all interested parties, both in person and online.
Challenges involved in building a metro system
Developing the subsoil of a city with a population of over a million is a complex undertaking: existing urban infrastructure must be safeguarded to allow for new construction; consideration must be given to numerous existing deep-level buildings, other underground railway lines, cables, pipes, sewers and groundwater pathways. That is why the topic is ideally suited to the keynote lecture, according to Prof. Dr Ralf Thiele, Head of the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering in Leipzig: “A tunnel project in a city requires the full range of geotechnical expertise. The lecture therefore offers rare insights and helps to build an understanding of the highly complex interrelationships. Moreover, the subject of tunnelling is fascinating in general and is therefore of interest even to those outside the field.”
Geotechnical Seminar: A successful model for the past ten years
Launched in 2016 as a concept for a free professional development and networking platform, the Geotechnical Seminar has developed into an established event series at HTWK Leipzig. Five specialist lectures are held each semester, primarily presenting current projects and practical methods, as well as developments in structural analysis. Recently, between 40 and 80 experts, students and interested members of the public have regularly attended the hybrid events. For several years now, the Geotechnical Seminar has been recognised by the Saxony Chamber of Engineers as a continuing professional development event and has also established itself as a regional meet-up for the German Geotechnical Society (DGGT).
Linking higher education, professional practice and society
The Geotechnical Seminar is a prime example of the HTWK Leipzig’s commitment to knowledge transfer. Experts from companies and local authorities in the city of Leipzig come together here with researchers and students to discuss current challenges in construction practice and to gain fresh insights for research and teaching. Such dialogue formats are becoming increasingly important, particularly at a time of major infrastructure and transformation projects.
The anniversary event will take place on a larger scale, followed by a get-together. In addition to members of the university community, representatives from business, politics, engineering firms, public authorities and associations are expressly invited to attend.
The Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Leipzig
Geotechnical engineering is one of the key research areas at HTWK Leipzig. At the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, around 25 staff members are working on current issues in civil and environmental engineering. The spectrum ranges from artificial intelligence in geotechnical engineering and climate-related influences on soils to innovative measurement technology and digital analysis methods. Research, teaching and knowledge transfer are closely interlinked. Among other things, researchers from theInstitute of Geotechnical Engineering are closely connected with all Saxon universities of applied sciences through the Saxony5 transfernetwork, collaborating on topics such as the environment and sustainable construction.
Through its research activities, numerous lecture series and continuing professional development programmes, and the GeoTechnikum on the university’s Eilenburger Straße research campus, the Institute makes significant contributions to sustainable construction, infrastructure development and adaptation to climate change. At the same time, it maintains close collaborations with companies, engineering firms, Leipzig City Council and scientific institutions.
What, when, where?
What: 100th Geotechnical Seminar at HTWK Leipzig, in-person event with the option to attend online
When: 1 July 2026, 5.15 pm
Where: HTWK Leipzig, Trefftz Building, Room A1.29
Gustav-Freytag-Straße 43–45
04277 Leipzig
Registration is recommended:
https://fb-igv-web.htwk-leipzig.de/apps/forms/s/tGDSSbz3riMx68zeoMkjfJGK
Link to the Zoom meeting room for online participation:
https://fb.htwk-leipzig.de/fakultaet/aktivitaeten/geotechnikseminar
