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Toronto is hosting the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s (CTBUH) 2025 International Conference<\/a>, running from October 6 to 9, under the theme\u00a0From the Ground Up: Tall Buildings and City-Making<\/em>. The global event will convene architects, planners, engineers, developers, and policymakers to explore how towers and urban systems shape liveability, sustainability, and growth. UrbanToronto is proud to be the official media sponsor for the event, and will be providing coverage throughout the week.\u00a0<\/p>\n UrbanToronto recently spoke with Javier Quintana de U\u00f1a, CEO of CTBUH, about why Toronto was chosen and what participants can expect. \u201cAbout five years ago, Toronto started to show speed,\u201d noted Quintana de U\u00f1a. Maybe Toronto doesn\u2019t have very tall buildings, but it was the speed, especially in the residential component, that stood out.\u201d<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s selection reflects both its intensifying skyline and its evolving model of urban growth. \u201cToronto has its own prestige in how to handle urban space and transport,\u201d noted Quintana de U\u00f1a, \u201cand this idea of the polycentric city with clusters of municipalities is very interesting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s growth is drawing international attention for its scale and its pace compared to other regions. While most North American cities have added towers gradually, Toronto\u2019s surge has been a quick one, particularly in the residential sector. \u201cToronto fits in with the fastest-growing cities in China now, and that is a very unique thing,\u201d shared Quintana de U\u00f1a.<\/p>\n \u201cThe success of a tall building is not strictly about the building itself,\u201d he continued, \u201cIt\u2019s very much about the community it creates and the way it connects with infrastructure and transport.\u201d This understanding forms a central theme of the Toronto conference. Towers are no longer seen solely as feats of height or engineering, but as contributors to street life, transit integration, and public space.<\/p>\n Affordability remains a pressing concern for Toronto, but Quintana de U\u00f1a noted that the city is comparatively better positioned than many global peers. In places like Jakarta, Indonesia, rapid population growth has brought about tall building construction without easing the affordability gap. Toronto, by contrast, \u201cis closer to bridging the affordability gap than many other fast-growing cities,\u201d Quintana de U\u00f1a shared.<\/p>\n Across 150-plus sessions, the conference will pair Toronto-based developers and planners with counterparts from cities such as Hong Kong, New York, and the Netherlands. \u201cFor the first time, we\u2019ve created what we call journeys,\u201d Quintana de U\u00f1a said. \u201cThese are organized itineraries that help architects, planners, and engineers navigate presentations. All our conferences are places for exchange. We bring the best from around the world, but also create panels where global voices collaborate directly with locals.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the sessions and conference portion, the event will turn Toronto into an open classroom through 17 off-site tours. Participants can explore projects such as SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge<\/a>, One Delisle<\/a>, 160 Front West<\/a>, T3 Bayside<\/a>, and Limberlost Place<\/a>, along with walking tours of King West, the PATH system, and the Financial District\u2019s skyscraper history. Tours will also venture to the towering new condos of Mississauga City Centre.<\/p>\n Discounted local rates, academic pricing, and student invitations are all part of CTBUH\u2019s effort to ensure strong Canadian participation. \u201cWe see this conference as an opportunity to bring Canada as a whole, and of course Toronto, to another level within the Council,\u201d expressed Quintana de U\u00f1a. Canadian architects, planners, and students are being offered a range of discounts and incentives to encourage attendance. A dedicated local rate has been introduced alongside international pricing, and reduced fees are available for academic staff and students, supported through a memorandum of understanding with Toronto Metropolitan University.<\/p>\n Organizers have also taken steps to address the currency gap between the U.S. dollar, in which fees are set, and the Canadian dollar. By adjusting pricing structures and working with local partners, CTBUH has aimed to minimize financial barriers so that participation is not limited to international delegates.<\/p>\n CTBUH intends for the Toronto conference to leave a legacy beyond its four days of programming. A full set of conference proceedings will be released, along with a curated compendium of papers tied to Toronto\u2019s vertical growth experience. A shorter post-conference report will distill lessons and recommendations into accessible guidance.<\/p>\n \u201cI am personally interested in showcasing Toronto as one of the really unique cases of development of vertical urbanization. I want Toronto to shine,\u201d said Quintana de U\u00f1a.<\/p>\n * * *<\/p>\n UrbanToronto has a research service, UTPro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe \u2014 from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.\u200b\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n <\/imgx><\/imgx><\/imgx><\/div>\n