Designing the Future of Cities
A global platform for collaboration, research, and strategic dialogue focused on the future evolution of cities and urban life.
Cities Are Entering a New Era
Urbanization is accelerating at an unprecedented scale. Climate change, AI, migration, housing inequality, public health, energy transition, and technological transformation are reshaping how cities are governed, designed, and experienced.
The UN-Habitat Partnership on the Future of Cities was established as a global collaborative platform bringing together mayors, urban leaders, researchers, institutions, designers, technologists, and civil society to explore the next generation of urban solutions.
Operating in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Partnership advances strategic dialogue, research, pilot initiatives, and international cooperation focused on the future of urban life.
Strategic Working Groups
The Partnership operates through interdisciplinary working groups focused on critical dimensions of future urban development.
Urban Futures & Design Innovation
Exploring architecture, urban design, placemaking, and future metropolitan development.
Mayors Circle on Urban Leadership & Governance
A platform for dialogue and collaboration among city leaders and urban policymakers.
Housing, Land & Inclusive Development
Addressing affordability, equitable urbanization, and inclusive growth.
Mobility & Green Infrastructure
Focused on mobility systems, public realm innovation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Digital Urbanism & Connectivity
Exploring AI, digital infrastructure, urban technologies, and data systems.
Climate & Heritage Resilience
Addressing climate adaptation, ecological systems, and heritage preservation.
Building a Global Urban Platform
The Partnership is designed as an evolving international network connecting cities, universities, institutions, researchers, policymakers, designers, and organizations working on the future transformation of urban environments globally.
Through research initiatives, strategic partnerships, working groups, publications, technical missions, and international dialogue, the platform aims to advance long-term collaboration around future urban development.
Global Institutional Collaboration
Interdisciplinary Research & Dialogue Platform
International
Urban Knowledge Exchange
Strategic Leadership
The Partnership is co-chaired by leading international voices in sustainable development and future-oriented urban transformation.
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Co-Chair
President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and University Professor at Columbia University. Internationally recognized economist and global leader in sustainable development.
Dr. Ivan Shumkov, Co-Chair
Architect, urban designer, educator, co-chair and lead of the Future Cities Partnership. His work focuses on architecture, urban futures, public engagement, and international urban collaboration.
Research & Global Initiatives
Global Future Cities Report
A flagship international publication exploring emerging urban transformations, future trends, and strategic urban challenges.
International Dialogues
High-level conversations, conferences, roundtables, and collaborative exchanges between global urban leaders and institutions.
Technical Missions
Curated urban study visits, applied knowledge exchange, and strategic city-to-city collaboration initiatives.
Institutional Collaboration
The initiative is developed in collaboration with leading international institutions focused on sustainable development, urban transformation, and global cooperation.
Join the Conversation on the Future of Cities
The Partnership welcomes collaboration with cities, universities, institutions, organizations, foundations, companies, and experts committed to advancing sustainable and future-oriented urban development.