CTBUH 2025 International Conference

From the Ground Up

Tall Buildings and City-Making explores the multifaceted approach required to grow and transform cities, emphasizing that meaningful urban development transcends physical structures. It involves not only the creation of towering buildings and efficient transportation systems, but also the nurturing of social and cultural networks that bind people, institutions, and businesses together, shaping a city’s unique identity and character. The tall buildings we construct must exhibit quality and porosity on the ground and first few floors, in order to enrich and sustain those networks. The core to our success is in how these buildings, particularly the first few floors, work together to create and frame great streets and the public realm.

Urbanization, growth, and market volatility present both challenges and opportunities for city-making. The conference will delve into the impacts of gentrification, the collaborative approach to urban policy, and the essential role of citizen and community engagement in the planning and design of cities. Through this lens, the event highlights how successful urban development must integrate material and social initiatives, ensuring that cities evolve to meet the needs of all their inhabitants.

Help build the foundation—join on 6–9 October, in Toronto, for From the Ground Up: Tall Buildings and City-Making.