Press release -
Hosting City of Urban Future 2027 Announced: Istanbul
MARCH 27, 2026 | LJUBLJANA / ISTANBUL After welcoming 2,000 city leaders and urban changemakers to UF26 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Urban Future, The Better-Cities Event, will head to Istanbul, Türkiye, in April 2027.
Following a year in Ljubljana, a city widely recognised for its people-first transformation of public space, Urban Future now turns to Istanbul, one of the world’s most dynamic metropolitan regions. Bridging continents, cultures and histories, Istanbul offers a compelling setting for conversations about the future of urban life.
“Ljubljana was a wonderful host for Urban Future 2026. It showed how a rather traditional European city can make courageous decisions that transform everyday life for the better. We made memories that will powerfully fuel our next steps. And now, we’re ready for a completely new atmosphere!” says Gerald Babel-Sutter, CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Future.
“Spanning two continents, Istanbul brings together enormous diversity, energy and complexity. As a vast metropolitan region with 16 million inhabitants, it’s a powerful place to spark fresh ideas, new partnerships and meaningful urban change.”
As one of the world’s most vibrant urban environments, Istanbul reflects many of the opportunities and pressures cities face today. From mobility and resilience to public space and social cohesion, it provides a relevant backdrop for discussing how cities can become greener, more liveable and more human.
Between April 13-16, 2027, Urban Future will once again bring together architects, planners, city staff, activists, entrepreneurs and public-sector pioneers, united by one shared mission: to improve life in cities.
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At Urban Future you meet people who drive change to make our cities more sustainable. Be it mayors, architects, mobility experts, city planners, scientists, sustainability managers, representatives from start ups, environmentalists, innovation experts or others. What unites them is their passion for better cities.
