It seeks to amplify the influence and understanding of urban design's role in creating dynamic, cooperative, competitive, and sustainable cities.

In October 2005 the Forum for Urban Design held its inaugural event "New Orleans Rebuilds" just two months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

Today, fellows are nominated by peers and selected annually by the Board of Directors based on outstanding contributions in architecture, development, and urban planning.

The Board of Directors includes Alexander Garvin, Michael Sorkin, Timur Galen, Byron Stigge, Meredith J. Kane, James Corner, Patrice Derrington, Paul Goldberger, Tami Hausman, Beatrice Sibblies, Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Nader Therani, and Thomas Wright.

Other notable events have included International Design Conferences held in Philadelphia, Boston, Galveston, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh.

[7] In 2012, Institute was invited to present the US Pavilion for the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale with an exhibit called “Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good.

[11] Similar organizations include The Architectural League of New York, The Van Alen Institute, The Municipal Art Society, Project for Public Spaces, and The Center for Urban Pedagogy, and Openhousenewyork.