Shaping
Urban Futures
International Mentoring & Innovation Forum
Three days of urban dialogue, mentoring, and city-based learning at the heart of Madrid. Hosted by COAM and Cities Forum.
20–22 May 2026 · Madrid
International Mentoring & Innovation Forum
Three days of urban dialogue, mentoring, and city-based learning at the heart of Madrid. Hosted by COAM and Cities Forum.
Complete the online form to indicate if you will attend the visit trip to Madrid, speak at the Forum and take part in the planned activities.
About the gathering
The final in-person gathering of the International Mentoring Program for Urban Planners. Across an informal community evening, a full forum day, and a day of site-based urban learning, participants will exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and experience Madrid as a living context for discussion.
Combining structured debate, mentoring exchange, professional reflection, networking, and shared time in the city, creating meaningful interaction across generations, geographies, and professional trajectories.
Why it matters
Urban debate with substance
Mentoring across career stages
International peer exchange
Professional reflection in person
Madrid as a learning city
Dates
20–22 May 2026
City
Madrid, Spain
Venue
COAM — Hortaleza 63
Language
English
Format
Forum + site visits
Organised by
Cities Forum & COAM
Audience
Mentors, mentees & guests
Main forum
21 May 2026
The programme
Informal community arrival
20:00Informal community dinner in central Madrid
This informal dinner will be the perfect moment to have a first in-person contact with other mentors and mentees joining the visit. It will also be a good opportunity to talk about activities to come, and to recharge after long journeys before the official agenda begins. Venue to be confirmed. Dinner at participants' own expense.
COAM — Full forum day
The day begins with an internal community meeting before the public forum programme starts.
09:00Internal welcome meeting at COAM
Location: training room
Mentors and mentees meet, review the agenda, discuss logistics, and receive guidance.
10:00Transition to the main event space
Shaping Urban Futures Conference
10:15Registration
10:30Opening words
10:45–11:30The next urban era: innovation, smart governance and women in leadership
Speakers:
Moderator: Jaime Ruiz. Cities Forum
11:30–12:15What makes a city future-ready?
Leadership, systems and capabilities cities need to thrive amid uncertainty.
12:15–13:15Mentoring as a catalyst for urban careers
From critical pain points to meaningful outcomes.
13:15–15:00Lunch
Lunch will take place at COAM and will be served in a standing cocktail-style format, with high tables instead of a seated meal. This will create a relaxed setting for informal conversation and networking among participants.
15:00–15:45The highs, the lows and the lessons in between
Stories, struggles and lessons from demanding careers in urban practice.
15:45–16:30Integrated mobility for more inclusive and sustainable cities
Linking public transport, active travel and urban inclusion.
16:30–17:15Data for better cities: evidence, innovation and urban transformation
How data and evidence can support better decision-making and planning.
17:15–18:00The skills that will shape the future of urban practice
How to build relevance, resilience and value in the age of AI.
18:00Closing words
20:00Mentoring Program's joint dinner
Dinner covered by Cities Forum.
Madrid field visits & shared city experience
10:00Guided field visits from Plaza de España
We will take part in a guided visit through central Madrid, using the city itself as a learning environment. Starting from Plaza de España, participants will explore a number of relevant urban interventions and regeneration projects that help illustrate how Madrid is addressing public space, mobility, accessibility, heritage, liveability and urban transformation. The route will include key areas and neighbourhoods like the well-known Lavapiés, offering the chance to observe very different urban realities within the historic centre.
13:00Arrival at Mercado de San Miguel for lunch
Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid's most iconic food markets, located in the historic centre near Plaza Mayor. Housed in a landmark building that opened more than a century ago, it has evolved from a traditional market into a major gastronomic destination where visitors can sample Spanish cuisine from more than 20 stalls, from Iberian ham and seafood to cheeses, rice dishes and vermouth. mercadodesanmiguel.es
15:30Afternoon walking visit
Exact route to be confirmed.
EveningOptional community dinner
Voluntary. At each participant's own expense.
Optional self-guided cultural and urban route suggestions for those staying in Madrid.
The city as classroom
Architecture, mobility, public space, governance, regeneration, and metropolitan life — the gathering is designed not only to take place in the city, but also to learn from it.
Topics
Innovation & smart governance
Women in leadership
Future-ready cities
Mentoring & urban careers
Global urban practice
Integrated mobility
Urban data & evidence
Skills for the age of AI
The venue
Over 12,000 m² across 4 floors, a stunning central garden, and a landmark setting for a forum on cities.
Calle Hortaleza 63
28004 Madrid
Logistics
Madrid's metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the city. You can use the Multi Card, a rechargeable public transport card that costs €2.50, and then load the ticket or pass you need onto it. For longer stays, a 30-day Zone A travel pass currently costs €32.70. The network is extensive, frequent, and well connected to key areas, making it practical for both daily travel and visitors. For maps, fares, stations, service updates and journey planning, the best source of information is the official Metro de Madrid website.
Nearest metro stations to COAM:
The metro is one of the most convenient options. Line 8 connects the airport with Nuevos Ministerios, where you can continue to other central areas. It is usually a good choice if you want a predictable journey and do not mind changing lines if needed. Metro journeys from the airport require the relevant ticket plus the airport supplement.
If you arrive at Terminal 4, you can take the C1 Cercanías train, which connects the airport with key stations such as Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Recoletos, Sol, and Príncipe Pío. This is often a very efficient option for reaching central Madrid, especially if your hotel or destination is close to one of those stations.
The Airport Express Bus (Line 203) runs 24 hours a day and connects the airport with Atocha, stopping at Cibeles and O'Donnell on the way. The single ticket costs €5, so it is a useful option if you want a direct and affordable service without using the metro or train.
A taxi is the easiest door-to-door option. Official airport taxis have a fixed fare of €33 for destinations within Madrid's central area. Ride-hailing services such as Uber are also available, and Uber indicates an average airport-to-central-Madrid fare of around €23, although that can vary depending on demand and traffic.
If you need an official invitation letter to support your visa application, just write to us and we'll prepare it for you.
mentoring@citiesforum.org
Urban dialogue, mentoring exchange, professional reflection, and shared learning with an international community shaping cities and urban careers.
"To go to bed at night in Madrid marks you as a little queer... Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night."