Frequently Asked Questions

Because our mission has expanded beyond tall buildings alone. The new name—Council on Vertical Urbanism—reflects our broader focus on how multi-dimensional growth, responsible density, and vertical solutions can create healthier, more sustainable cities.

It’s a philosophy and practice that looks at growth holistically—not just taller towers, but the integration of buildings, infrastructure, mobility, public space and cultural amenities, and policy to create thriving urban environments.

Not at all. Tall buildings remain our foundation and expertise. The new identity builds on that strength, extending our lens to the full spectrum of vertical city-making.

Cities are facing unprecedented pressures: rapid population growth, climate change, housing availability and affordability, and infrastructure strain. A broader, future-focused identity positions us to lead in shaping sustainable urban solutions.

The stacked chevrons represent verticality, layers and density, and a multi-dimensional perspective. They symbolize upward growth, human-centered ground-level connections, and the layered complexity of modern cities. To learn more information about the new logo, contact us to get a copy of our brand brochure.

The new identity builds on more than 50 years of thought leadership in tall buildings and

urban innovation, while adapting our language and vision to meet the needs of current and future cities.

We are reimagining and reframing our premier annual event by introducing a new summit that builds on the International Conference’s legacy while offering a fresh format and experience. This new format allows us to bring together global leaders, researchers, and practitioners in a more focused, collaborative setting while continuing to advance the most important conversations in vertical urbanism.

The brand transition has allowed us to reassess and redefine our entire events ecosystem. We are introducing a new event road map with clear nomenclature and hierarchy, making it easier to understand how our global, regional, and chapter/local events fit together.

Tier 1—Summit

The Summit is the Council’s premier annual event, an internationally recognized gathering of global thought leaders, innovators, and industry professionals. This high-profile convening establishes the worldwide discourse around vertical urbanism, offering the broadest reach, deepest insight, and most influential platform for shaping the future of rising cities.

Tier 2—Conference

Regional conferences are strategically situated events that bring together professionals, researchers, and stakeholders from specific geographic areas to explore challenges and opportunities unique to that locale. While rooted in regional issues, they attract a global constituency and foster international knowledge exchange.

Tier 3—Forum

Forums are city- or country-specific programs designed to engage local communities while connecting them to the global conversation. More focused in scale than conferences, they activate a wide swath of stakeholders to address pressing urban issues and foster actionable outcomes that directly impact the host city or region.

Tier 4—Council on Vertical Urbanism [Chapter] Presents: [event name]

“Council on Vertical Urbanism [Chapter] Presents” events are organized by chapters and vary widely in format—from lectures and panel discussions to tours, workshops, and networking opportunities—the name of which describes the experience (e.g., Council on Vertical Urbanism New York City Presents: A Walking Tour of Hudson Yards). Flexible and responsive, these programs address timely topics of interest to local members while advancing the Council’s mission at the grassroots level. They provide an accessible entry point for engagement, community-building, and knowledge-sharing.

Yes. All memberships remain valid, with no disruption in benefits or services. Members will simply see the new name and identity reflected in communications.

You can access your member portal by selecting My Account in the Quick Links section of the site navigation. While your account access remains the same, the member community and many member-only resources have moved to ENGAGE, our new platform for connecting, collaborating, and accessing exclusive content. You will still have access to all Skyscraper Center member-exclusive resources using your CTBUH account or by logging in directly on The Skyscraper Center website.

Benefits will expand. In addition to tall building knowledge, members will gain access to

resources and conversations addressing transportation, urban policy, community integration, and sustainability, among numerous other topics.

The Skyscraper Center is still a core CVU resource. It has moved to its own dedicated website so it is easier to search, browse, and update. Our database of 40,000+ tall buildings worldwide remains a cornerstone of our work and will continue to grow under the new brand. All building data, profiles, and research are still available, and the site continues to be managed and maintained by CVU.

Absolutely. We remain the global arbiter of building height, with the same rigor, standards, and authority.

We are not limited to one discipline. Our strength lies in convening architects, engineers, developers, policymakers, and community leaders, among numerous other urban innovators, to shape holistic solutions for vertical cities.

We advocate globally for responsible density, sustainable design and construction practices, and urban frameworks that support livability and resilience in rapidly growing cities.