On September 24, 2025, AIVP convened members of the Port Center Network for an online session dedicated to governance, funding, and the strategic development of Port Centers. This virtual format reflects a new rhythm for the network, which will now alternate between two online meetings per year and one in-person gathering held each spring.
The Port of Valparaíso (Chile) was the featured guest of this edition. Its Port Center project, presented by Cristián Moreno, embodies an ambitious co-construction approach driven by the participatory initiative “Valparaíso Dialoga.” More than 3,000 residents took part in discussions on the port-city relationship. The future Port Center, located in a heritage building designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will offer an immersive experience organized into six interactive modules. It will be governed through a cooperative model involving the port authority, the municipality, universities, local associations, and citizens, and will adopt a hybrid economic structure combining partnerships, ticket sales, food services, and public support.
The exchanges highlighted the growing role of Port Centers as platforms for territorial interpretation and civic engagement. Several members shared ongoing initiatives and strategies to reach new audiences and efforts to enhance cultural value. An interactive survey conducted by Eva BOO , co-founder of Three o’clock and specialist in citizen engagement, identified persistent challenges such as limited resources and insufficient institutional recognition, as well as key levers for progress. Cultural partnerships, integration of external expertise, and the pooling of tools emerged as shared priorities.
📍 Next meeting: Le Havre, March 10, 2026.
