Big Swings
About
Our Global Exchange fellowship for mid-career executives surveys the world to take a big swing at New York City’s housing crisis.
This nine-month fellowship invests in 40 rising leaders across design, development, policy, law, advocacy and journalism to build bridges between New York City and its peer cities, uncover cutting-edge projects, and demand courageous public policy.
Big Swings seeks to build solidarity between leaders in New York and other cities taking “big swings” at their housing crises. By exploring the cultures and politics behind housing shifts around the world, we will equip decision-makers to better advocate for reform. Our goal is to complement the diligent work of local leaders, weave together diverse perspectives, and support a new generation of leaders to house every New Yorker.
Global Inspiration for New York City’s Housing Crisis
Global Inspiration for New York City’s Housing Crisis is a collection of case studies of cities around the globe who have taken big swings to address their housing crises. In exchanges with global housing leaders, Fellows studied efforts to deepen affordability, welcome new arrivals, build buy-in, cut red tape, and advance green solutions from around the world.
2025 Big Swings
Join Our Next Cohort
We’re thrilled to open applications for our next Global Exchange fellowship, welcoming a new cohort of fellows to survey the world for ideas that can address New York City’s housing crisis.
This nine-month fellowship will invest in 40 leaders across design, development, policy, law, advocacy, journalism, construction and philanthropy to build bridges between New York City and its peer cities, uncover cutting-edge projects, and demand courageous public policy.
Apply by May 2.
Learn More and Apply2024 Fellows
Meet our first cohort of urban leaders surveying the world to take a big swing at New York City’s housing crisis.
Events
03.20.25
Join Urban Design Forum and the AIANY Housing Committee for a conversation about housing, transformation, and livability in Vienna with Maria Vassilakou.
03.14.25
Join the 2024-25 Global Exchange Fellows to explore “big swings” to address the housing crisis, inspired by cities across the world.
05.19.25
Join the Global Exchange Study Trip to discover how Copenhagen has become a global benchmark for urban livability through public realm transformation.
12.03.24
Join us for a discussion on London’s affordable and sustainable housing development with Caroline Harper, to kick off our Global Exchange Speaker Series.
Support Our Work
Global Exchange is made possible through support of Jamie von Klemperer and KPF, Turner Construction, and our Global Circle: a distinguished group of senior civic, industry and philanthropic leaders who have helped to launch this program and drive the international conversation.
Circle members gather for events with esteemed speakers, travel together to a peer city, and connect New York’s decision-makers with their counterparts around the world. Their financial leadership enables us to offer the fellowship for free to advocates, public servants and journalists who need to be at the table.
Members receive benefits including network building, thought leadership, nomination of fellows, and visibility. For more information about how to join this league of supporters, along with a list of support tiers and benefits, please contact Clara Parker, clara@urbandesignforum.org.
Thank you to our Founding Circle members.
