The magazine, published by CTBUH, explores findings from the City Advocacy Forum, where KPF shared insights from leading global hubs, highlights the transformation of One Madison Avenue, and features notable KPF projects including Hudson Yards and One Vanderbilt.
Supported by KPF and convened by CTBUH, The City Advocacy Forum serves as a platform for city building experts—architects, engineers, and planners—from around the world to learn from one another and advocate for better cities, density, and liveability. Last year’s sessions, held in London and Istanbul, featured 10 leaders from eight leading cities to share their insights and experiences on the infrastructure necessary for successful and sustainable city growth. KPF Principal Forth Bagley kicked off the London conversation by sharing the inspiration for the Forum. CTBUH board leaders and members, he explained, “Felt we were at the apex of city growth, yet simultaneously witnessing a new generation of cities under siege—economically, politically, socially, and environmentally.”
Closing the session, Forth asked panellists whether the urgent topics of climate and resiliency were being overshadowed by concerns over housing, transportation, and political representation. The conference concluded that: Clear zoning and landmark preservation policies ensure balanced urban growth; Mixed-use is vital for resilience amid changing economic conditions; Community Engagement (e.g. public ballots for housing plans) improves acceptance; and incorporating green infrastructure enhances urban sustainability. The forum’s findings were compiled into an index of lessons learned and strategies each city’s representative shared that has been published by CTBUH.
Elsewhere in Vertical Urbanism, the authors praise KPF’s work on One Madison Avenue in Manhattan as an exemplar of thoughtfully integrating new high-rise structures into the existing urban fabric of a city. The project inserts a contemporary glass tower atop a historic podium building, expanding floor space and updating the entire building to meet the demands of today’s office market with minimal demolition. “This allows for a unique connection between the old and the new structures, as they serve the same purpose, but in two different forms.”
Read the second edition of Vertical Urbanism here.