About Us

Our mission is to transform streets around the world, inspiring leaders, informing practitioners, and inviting communities to imagine what’s possible when we design streets that put people first.

We are a team of designers, planners, and urban strategists committed to reimagining streets as places for people, shaping cities that are safe, healthy, accessible, and equitable for everyone. The strategies and best practices in our Global Street Design Guide are the foundation of our work, and they have been applied in cities across the globe, helping to update policies, build local capacity, implement and evaluate projects, and scale up impact.

Originally a program of NACTO, the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) was founded in 2014 by Janette Sadik-Khan, operating under the guidance of Director Skye Duncan.

In 2022, GDCI became an independent project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a nonprofit organization and international thought leader specializing in the support of high-impact global projects and strategic philanthropic initiatives.

Connect With Us

Follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about GDCI.