Building Global Partnerships

The development of partnerships is critical to meet the mission of the Curtis Infrastructure Initiative which identifies and promotes infrastructure solutions that make cities more equitable, resilient, and that enhance long-term community value.

“There’s something unique about infrastructure that goes beyond the distinct site upon which an investment is happening.“

Leslie Woo

Curtis Infrastructure Initiative Global Board Member

We believe that smart infrastructure solutions cannot be met without effective public/private partnerships at the local level. This is why the Curtis Infrastructure Initiative directly supports ULI global member engagement through District Councils, Product Councils, and sharing best practices through forums, webinars, and other convenings.

Some key program goals for developing partnerships include the following:

  • Broaden the definition of infrastructure to better build community and place.
  • Provide technical assistance activity resulting in outcomes such as shifts in policy and practice, change in community/industry prioritization, change in design/planning, and/or new infrastructure projects.
  • Promote locally driven infrastructure investments that create effective public/private partnerships including innovative and traditional financing approaches.
  • Provide replicable, sustainable, and model solutions to communities nationwide and globally.

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Let’s build long-term community value through equitable and resilient infrastructure investments together.

Let's Partner

Photo By ULI

The 52 North American District Councils. Globally, National Councils play a similar role to connect ULI Members to local issues.

District Council Network

ULI’s district council network is at the center of the Curtis Infrastructure Initiative efforts since ULI members at the local level work daily to improve their communities. The Initiative supports program development, research, and convenings related to infrastructure across the network.

The Curtis Infrastructure Initiative has partnered with 10 ULI district councils across North America to provide technical assistance as part of a cohort to help build capacity to reconnect divided communities—physically, socially, and digitally.

District Council Infrastructure Grant Cohort

This cohort of ULI members and staff, local leaders, and other global experts meets regularly over the course of a year to identify key issues, share best practices, and provide updates on projects to support each other in addressing complex infrastructure challenges.

Infrastructure and Land Use Exchange

The Infrastructure and Land Use Exchange is a regularly scheduled forum to foster better ULI collaboration, program and research ideas, funding opportunities, and to help facilitate infrastructure investments that are equitable, resilient, and that enhance long-term community value. Topics and trends impacting infrastructure investment are discussed including the link between housing and transportation, the impacts of climate change on land use, and the development of equitable investment frameworks.

Click here to register for the first series scheduled from February 17, 2022 to February 16, 2023.

Infrastructure Forum

The Infrastructure Forum is for ULI Full Members and invited guests to explore the intersection of infrastructure and real estate during ULI’s Spring and Fall conferences. Past topics have included project funding and finance, developing equitable and resilient neighborhoods, and leveraging the real estate for high quality infrastructure.

Product Council Network

Product Councils play a key role in ULI’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Through the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices, Council meetings offer industry leaders vital opportunities to further ULI’s mission.

The Curtis Infrastructure Initiative supports those Councils that have a significant infrastructure focus such as the Public Development and Infrastructure Council, the Public/Private Partnership Council, and the Transit-Oriented Development Council. The Initiative also supports local product councils that are run and managed by ULI district councils.

We also strategically engage with other organizations and coalitions such as the Smart Growth Network and the Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities to promote equitable and resilient infrastructure solutions that enhance long-term community value.