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Discover authoritative data for 40,000+ tall buildings from across the globe.

Browse our archive of the latest scholarship on a wide range of tall building-related topics.

Uncover the most noteworthy advancements in tall buildings and the urban environment.

Gain access to exclusive resources, expand your network, and engage in meaningful conversations shaping the future of rising cities.

Reinforce your reputation as an industry leader by supporting innovation in sustainable urban development.

Pursue global design and research challenges with focused awards and fellowships.

Earn industry recognition and global renown through our Awards program.

Choose from a wide range of industry-leading programs designed to enhance every phase of your professional development.

Connect with experts worldwide who help cities grow and adapt responsibly.

Elevate your project's presence with a certified title and recognition through our Buildings of Distinction program.

Learn about our bold vision for multi-dimensional growth and responsible density in cities around the world.

Stay informed of industry news and emerging trends in sustainable vertical urbanism.

Connect and collaborate with industry-leading peers and professionals near you.

Meet the people guiding our mission to transform cities through sustainable vertical urbanism.

Explore major milestones marking our organization’s continued influence on cities, skyscrapers, and sustainability.

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News & Events

Resources Skyscraper Center Research Award Recipients City Advocacy Forum

Get Involved Membership Partnerships Funding & Competitions Awards Program Education Buildings of Distinction

About Vertical Urbanism Press Room Leadership & Staff Regions & Chapters History

VU Summit Engage My Account Skyscraper Center

Gtba

Achieve a higher standard of tall building expertise.

Tall buildings represent one of the most complex expressions of the built environment—where architecture, engineering, economics, sustainability, and urban strategy converge. Our Global Tall Building Accreditation (GTBA) program equips professionals with the interdisciplinary knowledge required to lead in this evolving field and shape the future of vertical urbanism.

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Why participate?

The GTBA program is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and expand their role in shaping the next generation of tall buildings. It supports the transition from early career practice to greater leadership within the complex world of tall building development.

Unique Expertise
Accreditation
Employability
Emerging Leaders
Multidisciplinary
Connections

Continue the ascent.

The GTBA program is designed to support your next step in tall building practice. If you have questions or want to learn more, Kristin LaSorsa from our Academics team is happy to help.

Contact us

A blueprint for success in the tall buildings industry.

The program bridges academic insight with real-world practice through a rigorous curriculum and direct engagement with leading practitioners.

Participants will:

Build an integrated understanding of tall building systems, design, and development;
Learn how structural, architectural, mechanical, and urban systems interact within complex projects;
Evaluate performance, sustainability, and resilience in tall building design;
Understand the economic, construction, and operational realities of tall building delivery; and
Strengthen their ability to collaborate across disciplines in real-world project contexts.

Be recognized as a leader in vertical urbanism.

Developed exclusively by the Council on Vertical Urbanism, the Global Tall Building Accreditation (GTBA) is a professional credential recognizing advanced knowledge in the planning, design, engineering, and delivery of tall buildings.

Participants gain a holistic understanding of how tall buildings perform—technically, economically, and within the broader context of urban development—while joining a global network of professionals advancing expertise in vertical urbanism.

Learn from experts shaping the world’s skylines.

The GTBA program combines academic rigor with real-world expertise through an immersive hybrid learning experience. Participants learn directly from internationally recognized faculty and industry leaders through lectures, case studies, and collaborative discussions that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of tall building practice.

Graduates will receive the GTBA, formally recognizing their multidisciplinary expertise in vertical urban development.

Meet the faculty

Discover key insights from professional practice.

Alongside core coursework, participants take part in a Masterclass Series featuring leading practitioners presenting specialized and emerging topics in tall building practice. Additionally, Integration Workshops bring instructors together to explore how building systems interact within real projects, reinforcing a holistic and collaborative understanding of vertical urbanism.

Global program partners

Leading organizations contributing to the future of tall building education.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

AECOM

Stantec

An immersive introduction to the fundamentals of tall building development, design, and economics; topics include:

Understanding Tall Buildings
Planning and Development
Principles of Design
Economics of Tall

Live sessions held on Friday and Saturday mornings expand into technical systems and advanced topics, including:

Structural Design
Systems and Sustainability
Vertical Transportation
Façade Engineering and Design
Safety, Accessibility and Resilience
Construction Technologies

The final examination assesses understanding across the full scope of the curriculum, including systems integration, design, performance, development, and delivery of tall buildings.

The program offers several tuition tiers depending on membership status and participation type. If you’re interested in becoming a member, learn more here.

Individual

CVU organization member: US $7,600

Non-member: US $9,500

Company (2 students)

CVU organization member: US $14,400

Non-member: US $18,000

The program is designed for working professionals involved in the design, development, and construction of tall buildings and vertical urbanism with a minimum 2 years of professional experience in a related field. To earn the CVU Tall Building Accreditation, participants must successfully complete all program requirements:

Program attendance

Participants are required to attend:

The in-person intensive week
The majority of scheduled online sessions

Minimum attendance requirements will apply.

Participation in program activities

Participants are expected to engage in:

Expert lectures
Integration workshops
Faculty-led discussions
Masterclass sessions

Final examination

Participants must complete a final accreditation exam that evaluates knowledge across the key topics covered in the program. Participants who successfully complete the program requirements will receive:

CVU Global Tall Building Accreditation (GTBA)
A certificate recognizing advanced expertise in tall buildings and vertical urbanism

The application process is designed to ensure that participants bring relevant professional experience and a strong interest in advancing knowledge of tall buildings.

1. Submit Application

Applicants complete the online application form and provide:

Professional background information
A CV or professional profile

2. Application Review

Applications are reviewed by the CVU academic team, considering:

Professional experience
Relevance to the tall buildings industry
Interest in vertical urbanism

3. Acceptance & Enrollment

Successful applicants will receive an acceptance notification and instructions to confirm enrollment in the program.

“The program brings together academic depth and real-world expertise in a way that reflects the true complexity of tall building practice. It sets a strong foundation for the next generation of professionals in vertical urbanism.”

Industry Leader

CVU

Want to advance your expertise in tall buildings?

Express your interest

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