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

Current Initiatives

Global Exchange

Fast Forward
What can we learn from global cities to make every New Yorker’s commute safe, fast, and reliable?
Forefront

Living Routes
Our tenth Forefront Fellowship explores how to transform public spaces into living, adaptive, and sustaining landscapes of care.

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.
Community Design

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

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

Upcoming Events

05.29.26

Information Session: New City Critics 2026-2027

Event New City Critics
On May 29, candidates interested in the New City Critics Fellowship are welcome to attend an information session to learn more about the program.
06.03.26

From Pilot to Permanent: Delivering New York’s Public Realm

Event Special Projects
Join Urban Design Forum and ULI New York for a discussion on delivering the future of New York’s public realm.
06.09.26

The Riverie Tour

Event Public Works
Join us for a tour of the largest high-rise geothermal project in the country with Lendlease, Marvel, and Field Operations.
06.11.26

Shaping Public Memory: Lessons from Columbus, LA, and NYC

Event Special Projects
Join the Central Park Conservancy and Urban Design Forum for a conversation on how commemorative projects across the country are transforming urban public space through community engagement.
06.17.26

New City Critics: City en Regalia 

Event 2025-26 New City Critics
Join the New City Critics in conversation to celebrate the conclusion of the fellowship and publication launch.
06.24.26

Action Dinner

Event
Join Urban Design Forum for a night of conversation at our annual Action Dinner.
10.05.26

Study Trip to Mexico City

Event Fast Forward
Join Urban Design Forum October 5-9 to learn from Mexico City’s innovative approaches to mobility, housing, and the public realm.

News

Forum News

New York City Design Organizations Launch the Public Design Alliance
An evolving network of the city’s cultural nonprofits seeks to expand opportunities for shared resources and collective impact.
Posted — June 27, 2025
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

Join the Forum

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

Company Memberships
Our company membership program gives your organization unparalleled access to our global network of design, planning, and development leaders

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.

Urban Design Forum – Store
Shop the Forum’s first-ever merchandise collection.