80% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. In this era of rapidly accelerating urbanization, there is a critical global need to develop and share ideas and policies that advocate for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive high-density urbanism.  

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and its members are in a unique position to create a forum for this dialogue and to gather, record, develop, and advocate innovative practices that address challenges facing cities.

The City Advocacy Forum will take shape as a series of activities, events, and conversations with the ambition to:

1. Identify key topics/challenges facing key global cities, including: 

- Density & urbanization

- Climate resiliency

- Social equity & access

- Housing

2. Gather and record best practices and case studies to address these challenges

3. Foster the exchange of ideas between:

- Mayors & policymakers

- Planning departments

- Private developers & owners

- Consultants 

Deliverables

The output of this yearlong initiative will be:

1. City Advocacy Forum moderated workshops (4 total)

These invitation-only half-day workshops, occurring in tandem with each of the CTBUH regional conferences and the international conference, will enable policymakers to share key challenges and best-practice solutions aligned with the conference themes (see "Milestones" tab for conference dates and themes). Additional invitations to the workshop may include local policymakers and developers.  

2. City Advocacy Forum panel discussions (4 total)

These public panel discussions will also take place in conjunction with the CTBUH regional conferences and the international conference and align with conference themes.

3. City Advocacy Forum documentation

At the conclusion of the workshops and panel discussions, CTBUH will publish "Future Cities: Sustainable Urban Growth Guide," which will include:

- Case studies on key issues (density, resiliency, equity, housing, etc.)

- Policy recommendations

- Advocacy plan