We convene civic leaders to confront the defining issues in New York City’s built environment.

Current Initiatives

Forefront

Free to Grow
Our eighth Forefront Fellowship inspires adults to center young people in the built environment.
Community Design

The Local Center
A new community design network in partnership with the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development
Special Projects

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

New Loops
Our seventh Forefront Fellowship re-envisions how we keep our city clean.
Next New York

Good Form
Our Good Form series convened design and public health professionals to discuss shaping a healthier city.
Special Projects

New City Critics
Urban Design Forum and The Architectural League announce a new fellowship program for emerging critics.

Upcoming Events

09.27.23

East Midtown Greenway Tour (New Date)

Event Public Works
How can innovative coastline corridors address the need for public space and coastal resiliency?
10.03.23

Stuyvesant Cove Park Tour

Event Public Works
How can we provide waterfront access and park space to the public while protecting communities from future flooding?
A small toddler sits in a lawn of green grass near some trees, playing with a toy firetruck.
10.06.23

Play in the Changing Climate

Event Free to Grow
Join Urban Design Forum and Capita for a breakfast discussion on greening and cooling New York’s schoolyards and playgrounds. 
10.11.23

Action Dinner

Event
The Forum is celebrating the conclusion of the Campaign for Courageous Leadership with a dinner for the campaign’s supporters.
10.30.23

New Conversations: Writing the Future

Event New City Critics
Join us to celebrate the inaugural New City Critics cohort in a conversation on the future of urban criticism.

News

Forum News

Celebrating the Campaign for Courageous Leadership
Generous support has enabled us to plan and launch four new annual programs in the past year alone.
Posted — September 7, 2023

2023 Class of Forefront Fellows
Meet the 2023 Forefront Fellows who will explore urban environments where youth can thrive for Free to Grow.
Features

Local Center Practice Notes: On Design Team Recruitment
Daniel McPhee shares how we approached recruiting design teams and preparing our partners to choose from among them.
Posted — July 27, 2023

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.