International Mentoring Program for Urban Planners
Powered by CITIES FORUM

Mentorship that moves urban planners forward.

A 16-week mentoring program for architects and urban designers ready to stop waiting, find their voice, and join an international community that takes craft seriously.

Book a call See if this program is for you
2nd cohort starts
October 1, 2026
Urban planner smiling, mentee in the program
Key information about the program
Cohort 2026 · 16 weeks
Sessions +

1-on-1 sessions

Mentoring 1-on-1 sessions with our pool of international mentors

+40 sessions in the full experience program

Dates +

Program dates

Starting and finish dates of the program

1 October 2026 15 February 2027

Mentors +

Top mentors

Top selected mentors to accompany you in this transformative experience

Formats +

Learning formats

Types of learning combined throughout the program

1-on-1 mentorship · Self-paced · Webinars · Madrid study trip

Madrid +

Madrid study trip

Technical visit to Madrid to connect with mentors and fellow mentees

All travel expenses covered in full experience

Mentees +

Mentees (1st ed.)

Mentees joined the program during the 1st edition

Reach +

LinkedIn reach

Impressions generated for our mentees on LinkedIn during the 1st edition

Papers +

Publications

Publications generated within the program fostering collaboration between mentors and mentees

The transformation

Where you are today.
Who you become.

Architect alone at desk Architect presenting work
The current chapter
Talented. Invisible. Stuck.
Stuck in projects that don't represent you

You spend years on briefs that drain your creativity and dilute your design voice.

Invisible in a crowded field

Your work is good, but no one outside your office sees it. No platform, no narrative, no reach.

Lost in career fog

You don't know whether to specialise, pivot, freelance or move abroad and the doubt paralyses you.

Isolated in your practice

No peers to challenge your ideas. No mentors who walked the path. No community that gets it.

The process

The roadmap you will follow

Four steps. One transformation. A clear path from where you are to where you want to be.

See the full methodology
Meet the edition

Get to know the people behind the program.

Explore the community, meet the mentors guiding this cohort and discover the mentees from the past edition.

Explore
Explore
Explore
The ecosystem

Beyond the program. Initiatives that will make you belong

Community meet-ups

City-by-city gatherings beyond the screen.

Knowledge series

Collaborative publications by the community.

Madrid 2027

Our flagship in-person gathering.

Meet this urban planner

LinkedIn visibility for mentees.
Target audience

This program is not for everyone.

It is aimed at urban planners and architects who recognise themselves in one of the seven challenges below. Pick the profile that resonates the most and see exactly how the programme helps you move forward.

A
Profile A · Career clarity

Lack of career clarity & uncertainty about next steps

Where you are now
  • You feel lost in your career path, unsure whether to continue in traditional urban design, explore real estate, sustainability, or shift to tech-driven roles like GIS or smart cities.
  • You struggle to identify your professional niche and where your skills fit best in an evolving industry.
  • Limited exposure to diverse career paths makes informed decisions difficult.
How the programme solves it
  • Structured career guidance from industry leaders.
  • Helps you discover high-demand niches in urban planning.
  • Connects you with mentors who have navigated similar transitions.
Enrolment

Choose your plan.

Three ways to join the 2nd cohort. Pick the one that matches your level of commitment.

Standard
Standard program
€ 3,900

Full access to the core of the program: 20 mentoring sessions, curated audiovisual content, all live online events and the right to participate in all the initiatives of the program.

  • Payment options available
  • Certificate of completion
  • Flexible scheduling
Most chosen
Full experience
Full experience program
€ 7,800

Maximum value, visibility and impact. Up to 40 mentorship sessions, priority access to mentors, and full coverage of your trip to Madrid for our 3-day study visit.

  • 24 months to book your 40 sessions
  • All expenses covered for the Madrid study visit
  • Public feature on our channels
Reserve
Reserve your seat
€ 100

Not ready to commit fully? Reserve your place in the program with a deposit and lock in your seat without pressure.

  • Fully deducted from your enrolment fee
  • Secure your spot early
  • Decide funding & schedule later

Apply until October 1, 2026 · mentoring@citiesforum.org

%
Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities

Eligible applicants can access scholarships covering between 20% and 80% of the program fee. Limited to 30 scholarships for this edition. Review the requirements and submit your application form before August 31, 2026.

Apply for a scholarship
Urban skyline

The next version of your career
starts with one conversation.