Urban Future 2027 will convene in Istanbul, Türkiye, from April 13-16, bringing together architects, planners, city staff, activists, entrepreneurs, and public-sector leaders to advance urban improvement. Following the 2026 edition in Ljubljana, Slovenia—which drew 2,000 city leaders and urban changemakers—this event shifts to one of the world's most dynamic metropolitan regions, home to 16 million inhabitants spanning two continents.1
The purpose centers on fostering discussions and partnerships to address urban challenges, including mobility, resilience, public space, and social cohesion, with a focus on making cities greener, more liveable, and human-centered. Istanbul's diverse energy and complexity make it an ideal setting for these exchanges, building on Ljubljana's model of people-first public space transformation.1
Targeted at urban professionals and changemakers, the event expects outcomes such as fresh ideas, new collaborations, and actionable strategies for urban change. Gerald Babel-Sutter, CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Future, highlighted Istanbul's potential to spark meaningful progress, noting its role in uniting diversity amid global urban pressures.1
Organized by Urban Future, known as The Better-Cities Event, this iteration continues the organization's scope of annual gatherings since its founding (exact date not specified in sources), rotating host cities to spotlight innovative urban contexts.1