Working Groups
The Future Cities Partnership operates through interdisciplinary working groups focused on the most urgent and transformative questions shaping the future of cities and urban life.
These groups bring together international experts, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, institutions, and partner cities to advance strategic dialogue, research, pilot initiatives, and collaborative knowledge exchange across disciplines and geographies.
Rethinking Cities Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Cities are increasingly becoming the central framework through which global environmental, technological, economic, social, and political transformations are unfolding.
The Working Groups are designed to create long-term international collaboration around emerging urban challenges and opportunities by connecting expertise across architecture, urban planning, governance, sustainability, artificial intelligence, mobility, infrastructure, public policy, economics, culture, and technology.
Their work contributes to research initiatives, policy frameworks, public programs, technical missions, strategic partnerships, and future publications developed through the Partnership.
Current Working Groups
The Partnership is initially organized around a series of thematic working groups addressing critical dimensions of future urban development.
1. Urban Futures & Design Innovation
Exploring the future evolution of cities through architecture, urban design, placemaking, public realm innovation, and emerging models of metropolitan development.
Focus Areas
- Future urban typologies
- Urban design innovation
- Public realm
- Place-making
- Metropolitan transformation
- Human-centered urbanism
2. Mayors Circle on Urban Leadership & Governance
A high-level platform for dialogue and collaboration among mayors, city leaders, policymakers, and institutions focused on governance innovation and the future leadership of cities.
Focus Areas
- Urban governance
- Metropolitan coordination
- Civic leadership
- Public policy
- International city collaboration
- Governance innovation
3. Housing, Land & Inclusivity
Addressing housing affordability, equitable urbanization, land policy, demographic transformation, and inclusive models of urban development.
Focus Areas
- Affordable housing
- Inclusive urban growth
- Land policy
- Social equity
- Accessibility
- Community development
4. Mobility & Green Infrastructure
Focused on mobility systems, transit-oriented development, sustainable infrastructure, walkability, ecological networks, and climate-responsive urban systems.
Focus Areas
- Public transit
- Walkability
- Green infrastructure
- Streetscapes
- Infrastructure systems
- Sustainable mobility
5. Digital Urbanism & Connectivity
Exploring the intersection of cities, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, data systems, connectivity, and emerging urban technologies.
Focus Areas
- Artificial intelligence
- Smart cities
- Urban data systems
- Digital governance
- Connectivity
- Civic technologies
6. Climate & Heritage Resilience
Investigating climate adaptation, resilient urban systems, ecological urbanism, heritage preservation, and long-term urban sustainability.
Focus Areas
- Climate resilience
- Ecological systems
- Heritage preservation
- Sustainable urbanism
- Energy transition
- Environmental adaptation
Research, Dialogue & Action
Strategic Reports
Collaborative publications, policy briefs, and thematic research initiatives.
International Convenings
Roundtables, workshops, conferences, technical missions, and global urban dialogues.
Pilot Initiatives
Collaborative experiments, urban innovation projects, and future-oriented partnerships with cities and institutions.
Participation & Collaboration
The Working Groups are intended as collaborative international platforms bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives from across disciplines, institutions, and regions.
Participation may include:
- researchers and academics,
- city representatives,
- policymakers,
- architects and planners,
- technologists,
- sustainability experts,
- civil society organizations,
- foundations,
- and strategic institutional partners.
The structure of each group will continue evolving through international collaboration and future partnership development.
Join a Working Group
The Future Cities Partnership welcomes collaboration with experts, institutions, cities, universities, and organizations interested in contributing to the development of future-oriented urban research, dialogue, and international cooperation.