Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF25) convenes “on the shore of all possibilities” on 1-3 October in Istanbul

Cities Developing Solutions

With the motto of “Cities Developing Solutions”, MARUF brings together global agendas with local needs and priorities, fostering a collective search for solutions with all urban stakeholders. The forum positions cities not only as centers of problems but also as hubs of creative solutions in a world full of challenges, crises, and uncertainties. MARUF aims to inspire participants with practical and innovative practices that can be implemented in cities, striving to be the starting point for lasting and tangible changes.

A Gathering for All

MARUF is realized in collaboration with over 120 partners, including public institutions, international organizations, local governments, NGOs, private sector, universities, and think tanks such as UN-Habitat, the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs, UNDP, ICLEI, CDP, WWF, WRI, UNDP, UITP, JICA, GIZ, ALDA, and NALAS.

MARUF’s Journey Since 2019

Since the inaugural forum in 2019, MARUF has brought together thousands of participants from different geographies to address the challenges and solutions of cities collectively. Held biennially, it has steadily grown into a global platform for knowledge and experience sharing. MARUF’s journey started in 2019 with 250 speakers and more than 5000 participants from 25 countries. In 2021, MARUF21 was held online under the theme “Re-think & Co-act” following the enormous impact of pandemic in cities and hosted over 500 speakers and 8000+ participants from 52 countries. At MARUF23, under the main theme of "Resilience and Beyond," over 5,000 participants from 62 countries and more than 380 speakers engaged in 140+ sessions. Events marking the World Metropolitan Day were also hosted in collaboration with Metropolis and UN-Habitat. You can find MARUF reports here: MARUF19 Report & MARUF21 Report & MARUF23 Report

The Narrative Frame of MARUF25: “on the shores of all possibilities”

We live in an age of insecurity and uncertainty, where crises in different corners of the world are driving societies to anxiety, and where cities are turning into a struggle for survival rather than a welcoming home. On the other hand, we are living in an era of opportunities and possibilities that are perhaps greater than at any other time in history. The tools to access information and resources are much more powerful.

This year, MARUF25 will be held under the conceptual framework “on the shore of all possibilities.” The shore is sometimes more than a border. It is a threshold between the land and the sea which carries turbidity and clarity, fluidity and stagnation together, a threshold that carries possibilities and opportunities with its uncertainty and the path it draws.

The state of being “on the shore of all possibilities” represents not only a concern but also a hope and an invitation in these turbulent times. It is a call to all urban thinkers not only to identify the challenges but also to rethink, dream together and search for the better.

What Does MARUF25 Offer?

Over three days, MARUF25 will provide participants with a forum experience that fosters strong and long-term collaborations by offering opportunities to meet new people, partners, and networks. Beyond thematic sessions, MARUF will offer an interactive experience through diverse and original events like Urban Cinema, Urban Library, Urban Routes, Urban Atelier, Good Practice Showcase, networking sessions, exhibitions, serious games, field trips, and stakeholder-organized side events—enabling participants to explore urban issues from diverse perspectives. The forum will address a wide range of urban issues—from disaster management to climate crisis, infrastructure, mobility, social policies, governance, sustainable development, care, housing, artificial intelligence—offering opportunities for collaboration and dialogue among urban stakeholders.

How to Take Part in MARUF

MARUF25 invites all urban stakeholders to contribute to the forum with their authentic perspectives, good practices, projects, start-ups, dissertations, solutions, services, products, and side event ideas on how to make cities more livable, resilient, fair, and caring for all. With this purpose, MARUF25 has officially opened applications for its key event formats, including Side Events, MARUF on the Go, PhD Showcase, Good Practice Showcase, Start-up Showcase, and Urban Expo. You can check out the call for applications (including the eligibility criteria and conditions to apply) here: https://marmaraurbanforum.org/calls

Registration is Now Open!

The forum will bring together policymakers, experts, practitioners and urban thinkers from all over the world around passionate debates on how to make cities more resilient, sustainable, fair, caring and inclusive.

Join us on the shores of the Golden Horn and be part of an inspiring gathering exploring the infinite possibilities of our urban future.