History

For 35 years, the Urban Design Forum has shaped the conversation around the design of New York City and cities around the world. The Urban Design Forum traces back to 1979, when journalist Ann Ferebee established the Institute for Urban Design after a pioneering conference, The First National Conference on Urban Design: Cities Can Be Designed. A separate organization, the Forum for Urban Design, convened its inaugural conference in 2005 to discuss the reconstruction of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In 2014, the two organizations joined forces to become the Urban Design Forum. Learn more.

Our Fellows

With over 400 Fellows, our membership comprises leading developers, architects, planners, builders, public officials, scholars, lawyers, and journalists that have demonstrated a commitment to building great cities. Headquartered in New York, Fellows of the Forum hail from over fifty cities across the United States and around the world.

The Board of Directors invites a select group of distinguished leaders of urban design, planning and development to participate each year. Candidates are nominated for their significant contributions to the fields of urban design, planning and development; standing among his or her peers; and ability to participate actively in Forum programs. Learn more.

Director’s Circle

The Director’s Circle is a group of preeminent designers, developers, investors and urbanists who champion the Forum’s mission and programming. Their active participation and annual financial support make possible our debates around the design of New York City and cities around the world. Learn more.

Our Leadership

The Forum is led by Chair Daniel Rose, President Hugh Hardy and a Board of Directors comprised of distinguished leaders in design, planning and development. Learn more.