Council on Tall Buildings & Urban Habitat Announces New Name: Council on Vertical Urbanism

CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2025) — The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) announced its transformation into the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU). 

“For decades, we’ve helped define how tall buildings are designed, measured and understood,” said Javier Quintana de Uña, CEO of CVU. “Now we are widening the lens. Vertical urbanism isn’t just about height; it’s about designing upward in smarter, more integrated ways to deliver sustainable, connected and human-centered cities.”

Founded in 1969, CTBUH became a global authority on tall buildings, defining the world’s tallest and setting the standard for skyscraper expertise. Its evolution into CVU preserves that while broadening its mandate to embrace four tenets shaping tomorrow’s cities: verticality, sustainability, livability and innovation. This expanded vision recognizes tall buildings not as isolated icons, but as integral parts of a larger urban ecosystem, woven together with infrastructure, public space, transit and policy.

The council’s embrace of vertical urbanism reflects a wider evolution in practice, research and policy. Universities worldwide are embedding vertical urbanism into curricula, firms are designing vertical “cities within cities” and governments are beginning to recognize upward density as part of climate and housing strategies.

The CVU name and brand transition will occur throughout October, culminating in a new website, logo, social media handles and other graphic assets, marketing collateral and tool kits for members, chapters and partners at the end of the month.

Visit verticalurbanism.org.