What it is
Urban Future calls itself “the better-cities event”. It is a conference run by UFGC GmbH, a company in Graz, for the people who do the practical work of changing cities: mayors, urban planners, architects, entrepreneurs and local activists. Its organisers say it began as a workshop in Graz; the city hosted the first two editions, in 2014 and 2016, and the second already had more than 1,500 participants. Since 2018 it has moved from city to city: Vienna, Oslo, Helsingborg, Stuttgart, Rotterdam, Łódź and, in March 2026, Ljubljana. The next edition is in Istanbul from 6 to 9 April 2027.
How the programme works
The format puts experience ahead of presentation. According to the About page, speakers are asked to explain what worked, what failed and what they would do differently, and the Fuck Up Night is given over to people describing their biggest career mistakes. Field Trips take participants into the host city’s neighbourhoods and local projects.
In 2027 the conference sessions are on 7 and 8 April, with Field Trips on 6 and 9 April. The UF27 programme page names three themes: Ready Cities (how cities prepare for and recover from disasters), People-powered cities, and Urban Branding. Only a short “Flavour Programme” is out so far; the full programme is due at the end of January 2027.
Who goes and how to take part
Tickets go on sale on 1 December 2026, in four price stages. At Early Bird prices the Regular Pass costs 899 euros and the Reduced Pass, for people working in municipalities, NGOs and universities, 499 euros. There are also a Plus Pass, a package for universities and 150 Student Passes at 160 euros for students up to 25. The Regular Pass covers sessions, the Cities FuckUp Night, Field Trips subject to availability, and lunch on both conference days; dinner is not included. Tickets cannot be refunded but can be transferred for a 15-euro fee.
People aged 30 or younger can apply to the Young Leaders Programme, a one-day programme on 6 April 2027 that costs 449 euros and includes the conference. Applications are open from 20 October to 10 November 2026.
What came out of past editions
The organiser’s list of previous events gives few numbers. Oslo, European Green Capital in 2019, welcomed around 3,000 participants. For other editions it describes the host city’s changes, such as Ljubljana’s car-free centre and Łódź’s reuse of textile factories, rather than results.
Going, or following from home
We found no online participation option on the official site, so plan to attend in person. Badge collection is in the lobby of the Hotel InterContinental Istanbul; the organiser has not yet said where every session takes place. Field Trips need pre-registration, which opens with ticket sales.