Charleston, South Carolina – A group of Charleston municipal, preservation, planning, and environmental professionals will travel to Europe next month to learn about sustainable waterfront development and urban design.
The study tour will be focused on informing the redevelopment of Union Pier, a major project for the city.
City officials will accompany representatives from the Historic Charleston Foundation, the Preservation Society of Charleston, the Coastal Conservation League, Sottile & Sottile, and Beemok Capital on the trip.
They will visit London, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen to study major urban and waterfront redevelopment projects, as well as meet with top architects, planners, and preservation specialists to learn how historic cities have managed growth and heritage while designing 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 Charleston Mayor William Cogswell. “We share a commitment to protecting Charleston’s character while planning for a vibrant, livable future along our waterfront.”
The trip’s insights will help shape Union Pier planning, which will correspond with the city’s Comprehensive Plan goal for a neighborhood that preserves Charleston’s historic character while promoting public access, mobility, and flood resilience.
“This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when preservation, development, and city leadership work toward a common vision,” said Winslow Hastie, President and CEO of the Historic Charleston Foundation.
In early 2026, Beemok Capital will have follow-up discussions to examine the data and explore practical uses for Charleston’s ongoing waterfront design work.
