NFI City Advisory
NFI City Advisory
SERVICES
The City Advisory Unit of the Norman Foster Institute (NFI) works directly with city governments, public agencies and civic organisations to support the design and delivery of sustainable, resilient and human-centered urban projects.
Drawing on global expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge, the unit offers strategic guidance, technical insight and design leadership for cities facing complex challenges.
The Norman Foster Institute City Advisory Unit explores sustainable solutions around the world to co-develop actionable strategies for urban transformation. As part of the Institute’s broader mission to promote sustainable and design-led urbanism, the City Advisory Unit translates interdisciplinary research and global insights into tailored, context-specific solutions.
Operating at the intersection of computation, planning and design, the unit works closely with municipal leaders, technical departments and community stakeholders to address urgent urban challenges - from climate resilience and mobility to housing, infrastructure and public space. Each engagement begins with a rigorous diagnostic phase that maps existing conditions, contextual frameworks and lived experiences. This foundation allows the City Advisory Unit to co-create strategies that are both effective and feasible, grounded in evidence while responsive to local conditions.
The City Advisory Unit emphasizes collaboration, capacity-building and knowledge exchange, often working alongside local universities, civil society groups and private sector partners to ensure that solutions are not only implementable but also inclusive and equitable. Whether supporting long-term goals, targeted pilot projects, or policy toolkits, the unit brings an integrated approach that leverages spatial thinking, systems design and data-driven analysis.
We work at multiple scales - streets, neighbourhoods, districts, corridors and city-wide systems - providing strategic guidance, spatial intelligence and design leadership. Our collaborations are grounded in mutual learning and shared ambition, tailored to local needs while drawing on global best practices and interdisciplinary expertise.
By bridging the gap between high-level vision and on-the-ground delivery, the NFI City Advisory aims to unlock the potential of cities to lead in climate action, social cohesion and urban innovation - placing design excellence at the core of urban change.
CITIES WE ARE WORKING WITH
Athens, Greece
Bilbao, Spain
Cape Town, South Africa
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Lusail, Qatar
Manchester, United Kingdom
Melilla, Spain
Mexico City, Mexico
Mumbai, India
San Marino, San Marino
CITIES WE HAVE RESEARCHED
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Barcelona, Spain
Bilbao, Spain
Logroño, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Málaga, Spain
Murcia, Spain
Oviedo, Spain
Pamplona, Spain
Santander, Spain
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
Toledo, Spain
Valencia, Spain
Valladolid, Spain
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Vienna, Austria
Zaragoza, Spain
Collaborate with us
The Norman Foster Institute City Advisory Unit welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with city governments, public agencies, academic institutions and civil society organisations committed to advancing actionable sustainable urban development.
We are particularly interested in working with partners who share a long-term vision for systemic impact and who are committed to inclusive, forward-looking approaches to urban transformation.
To initiate a dialogue or explore collaboration opportunities, please contact us at advisory@normanfosterinstitute.org