Aerial view of a city's skyscrapers at night time

Center on Global Cities

Elevating global cities as central actors shaping world affairs and advancing city-based solutions to global challenges.

More About the Center

Pritzker Forum on Global Cities

Urban leaders from around the world connect three times annually for this international forum cohosted with the Financial Times.

Pritzker Forum

Research

Policy reviews and recommendations offer ideas and plans for how cities and urban leaders can help solve global challenges.

Research

Commentary and Analysis

Experts share perspectives and analyses on the most critical issues facing cities today.

Commentary and Analysis

From the Center on Global Cities

Parklets, Traffic-Free Zones and Outdoor Eating: How COVID Is Transforming Our Cities

In the News The Conversation Michele Acuto

"Both cities and citizens have often shown that they can adapt rapidly under crisis conditions," the Council's Non-resident Senior Fellow Michele Acuto writes with Dan Hill in the Conversation.

Chinese officials and citizens are seen during a ceremony against the cityscape of Shenzhen

Asia's Megacities and the Future of Geopolitics

Blog Global Insight by Parag Khanna

The Urban Century of China and India

Blog Global Insight by Xuefei Ren

Pritzker Forum on Global Cities

The Pritzker Forum on Global Cities is a platform for a yearlong series of conversations on the most pressing issues facing cities and urban life. Join us for the next session later this year.

Screen shot of The Financial Times' Leyla Boulton, Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando, and Dublin Mayor Hazel Chu

An aerial view of a power plant at night, with the moon in the background

Global Cities

Transforming Industrial Regions of North America and Europe: Opportunity and Imperative

Interactives

This report summarizes the Transforming Industrial Regions of North America and Europe symposium, including strategies to rebuild economies and stem antidemocratic populism.

Meet the Experts

All Center on Global Cities Experts

Ian Klaus

Senior Fellow, Global Cities and Foreign Policy

Ian Klaus also serves as director of research and policy for the Global Parliament of Mayors and as the series editor of the AR6 Summary for Urban Policymakers. Previously, he served as a diplomatic adviser to the Urban 20 and C40 City Climate Leadership Group.

More about Ian

Samuel Kling

Fellow & Director of Global Cities Research

Samuel Kling joined the Council as a Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow before transferring to his current role as a fellow and director of global cities research. His research focuses on mobility and urban planning policies, and how historical perspective can inform policymaking today.

More about Samuel

Alaina Harkness

Nonresident Fellow, Global Cities

As executive director for Current, Chicago's water innovation hub, Alaina Harkness leads a team working to grow the blue economy, accelerate innovation, and solve pressing water challenges. She most recently served as managing director for the economic development firm RW Ventures, where she helped develop inclusive growth strategies for cities and metropolitan regions.

More about Alaina

All Center on Global Cities Experts

Newsletter sign-up

Sign up to receive a monthly email with all the latest global cities research, analysis, commentary, and announcements for the Pritzker Forum.

Other Global Cities Events

View of the New York City skyline with a blue sky

China's Rise and Reach: The Belt and Road City

PAST EVENT VIDEO China's Changing Landscape

This workshop, part of the Great Powers and Urbanization Project, examines how Belt and Road cities are likely to shape patterns of globalization in the 21st century.

A black and white photo of the view from the ground below three skyscrapers

The Post-COVID City

PAST EVENT VIDEO Pritzker Forum on Global Cities

The CEO of United Airlines, the President of Microsoft, the Governor of Tokyo, and other civic and industry leaders from around the world discuss the resilience of cities and how they may revive their social and economic vitality.

A view of a road going through a small town in Iowa

Transforming Industrial Regions of North America and Europe

PAST EVENT

Through original research and convenings, the Chicago Council partnered with organizations across the transatlantic space to discuss revitalizing industrial regions in North America and Europe.