EN
ES FR
Members’ Area
Accueil Learn About Us About Our History

History of AIVP: Global Network of Port Cities Since 1988

Founded in 1988 in Le Havre, the AIVP (International Association of Cities & Ports) is now the leading global network dedicated to the sustainable development of port cities. It brings together more than 190 members—including port authorities, local governments, operators, experts, and institutions—from 45 countries across five continents.

The Origins of the City-Port Relationship

Until the 1970s and 1980s, the port and the city had always been closely linked.

Containerization, a true logistics revolution, sparked this separation by rendering the historic docks obsolete, as they were ill-suited to accommodate large container ships. Cities were then left with unused port areas—often right in the heart of the city—whose development had to be reimagined.

The Founding of AIVP and Its Founding Members

In 1988, Antoine Rufenacht, a member of the National Assembly representing Seine-Maritime and future mayor of Le Havre, organized the first forum bringing together port authorities and local governments to address the challenge of coordinated city-port development.

The richness of these exchanges highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue: AIVP was born.

The AIVP was founded by the participants of the first City-Port Forum, who came together with a common goal:

  • City, Port, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Le Havre (France)
  • Port of Genoa (Italy)
  • St. Lawrence Development Secretariat (Canada)
  • Ports of Barcelona and Santander (Spain)
  • Atelier 9, architecture firm (France)
  • City and Port of Marseille (France)
  • The Cities of Lorient and Saint-Nazaire (France)
  • Port of Bilbao (Spain)
  • City and Port of Dunkirk (France)
Découvrez nos membres

More than 35 years of commitment to port cities

1988

Establishment of the AIVP Global Network in Le Havre

First City-Port Forum. Sharing experiences on the transformation of city-port interfaces. Maritime traffic is taking off with the shift to containerization.

1993

Charter of Cities and Ports for the Environment, in Montreal

Stakeholders in AIVP’s port cities are committed to the environment and sustainable development, a few months after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992).

1997

AIVP is present on every continent

Launch of the first AIVP website. New tools for knowledge sharing and information exchange. Growth in the number of city-port projects internationally.

2006

Charter for the Sustainable Development of Port Cities, in Sydney

Acceleration of the globalization of trade. Port traffic has doubled since the founding of the AIVP. AIVP members are gathering in Sydney for the 10th World Conference on Cities and Ports and are committing to respect and promote this charter.

2010

Development of the Port Center Concept

Citizen dialogue: the key to the success of port cities’ urban and economic development.

2018

AIVP Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary — Launch of the AIVP Agenda 2030

AIVP presents its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Port Cities, in response to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2020

Official Partnership Between UN-Habitat and AIVP

Ratification of an agreement with UN-Habitat. AIVP is strengthening its services to members and expanding its international reach.

2024

1st Annual AIVP Antoine Rufenacht Award

First edition of the award recognizing the most outstanding city-port interface development projects. Twenty-three projects were submitted, six finalists were selected, and one winner was honored at the World Cities and Ports Conference in New York (USA).

2025

20th AIVP World Conference on Cities & Ports, the first edition held in the United States

The first World Cities & Ports Conference held on American soil. A symbolic milestone that illustrates the growing influence of the AIVP network in North America.

2025

Partnership with Green Marine International

Signing of a partnership agreement with Green Marine International, an environmental certification program for the North American maritime industry. A shared commitment to accelerate the green transition of ports and port cities.

2026

Launch of AIVP North America

Launch of AIVP’s official representative office in North America, based in Quebec City, Canada. This marks a new milestone in the network’s global expansion to serve the continent’s maritime and inland port cities.

AIVP 2030 Agenda: Toward Sustainable Port Cities

Since 2018, AIVP has structured its work around the AIVP 2030 Agenda, an ambitious program aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This agenda guides AIVP members in building city-port relationships that are more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient in the face of the climate, economic, and social challenges of the 21st century.

Learn more

Interested in participating in AIVP’s upcoming key events?

Discover upcoming events focused on the revitalization and transformation of port cities.

View Upcoming Events
Contact us