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
Next New York

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

Upcoming Events

05.05.26

Soft Infrastructure: Adaptive Reuse and Ecological Restoration in Mexico

Event Big Swings (2025)
Join us for a conversation about Mexico City’s Lake Texcoco Ecological Park with architect and landscape urbanist Iñaki Echeverria.
05.14.26

Walk the Waterfront: East Side Coastal Resiliency

Event Public Works
Join us for a walk-and-talk tour of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) with AKRF and New York City Department of Design and Construction.
05.16.26

Forum Picnic in the Park

Event
Join us for the first ever Forum Picnic. All are welcome- bring your friends and family!
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.
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.