We connect and inspire New Yorkers to design, build and care for a better city.

Current Initiatives

Global Exchange

2025 Big Swings
What can New York City learn from global cities to create safe, dignified, and stable homes for every New Yorker?

Public Works
Public Works sparks conversations with civic leaders on built environment initiatives shaping the public good.

New City Critics
In our writers fellowship with The Architectural League, we seek to empower a new generation of urban critics.
Forefront

Lifelong
Our ninth Forefront Fellowship imagines a New York City where older adults can thrive with support and dignity.
Community Design

The Local Center
A new community design network in partnership with the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development
Next New York

Rewire
New York City must reshape its buildings and public spaces as engines for a climate positive city.

Upcoming Events

05.13.25

Conversations with the Candidates: Brad Lander (New Date)

Event Public Works
Join us for a conversation with NYC 2025 mayoral candidate Brad Lander.
05.14.25

Public Spaces for All: Ideas from the Local Center

Event The Local Center
Join Urban Design Forum and the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development for an interactive conversation exploring ideas to advance equitable public spaces. 
05.19.25

Study Trip to Copenhagen

Event Big Swings
Join the Global Exchange Study Trip to discover how Copenhagen has become a global benchmark for urban livability through public realm transformation.
05.21.25

Special Screening: Out of the Picture

Event New City Critics
Join Urban Design Forum, the Architectural League, and Urban Omnibus for a private screening of Out of the Picture, a new documentary film exploring the lives and work of art critics through a historic time of cultural reckoning. 
06.12.25

Lifelong Capstone

Event Lifelong
Join us to get inspired by the 2024-2025 Forefront Fellows as they share strategies for older adults to flourish in New York City, now and in the future.
06.17.25

New City Critics: Monuments, Peripheries & Ecologies

Event New City Critics
Join the Forum and The Architectural League for the launch of a new publication and conversation with this year’s New City Critics.
07.16.25

Action Dinner

Event
Join Urban Design Forum to celebrate a successful year of programming with our anti-gala — the Action Dinner.

News

Forum News

Caring for Our Neighbors: a Letter from Executive Director Dan McPhee
I may never know this country, but I have loved knowing this city for the past fifteen years.
Posted — November 7, 2024
Forum News

Urban Design Forum Selects 48 Leaders as Fellows for Global Exchange Program to Tackle the Housing Crisis
Urban Design Forum is thrilled to announce the 48 Fellows in the inaugural Global Exchange cohort: our new fellowship for mid-career executives who will survey the world to take a big swing at New York City’s housing crisis.
Posted — August 6, 2024
Forum NewsLocal Center

Announcing Connected Corridors: Envisioning the Future of Our Main Streets
Three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx will launch new projects to transform public spaces in under-invested commercial corridors.
Posted — May 6, 2024

Join the Forum

Individual Membership
Our Fellows are developers, architects, planners, builders, public officials, scholars, lawyers, and journalists who are building dynamic, equitable and resilient cities.

Company Memberships
Our 50 company members are leading design, development, law, construction and engineering firms who are leading urban development in New York City and around the world.

Support Us
Our work would not be possible without the generous support of civic leaders and design champions. Whether you are interested in joining our Director’s Circle or making a one-time contribution to support our work, we welcome your support.