Established in 2005 as a not-for-profit corporation, the Institute regroups academics and professionals who created and ran the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design from 1987 to 2005.  CUDS was internationally recognized for its applied research, expert advice and technical assistance to policy makers, and capacity building programs.  Governments, foundations and international organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the Christensen Fund, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and UNICEF funded its activities. Decision-makers and senior professionals from 52 countries attended its International Education Programs, sent by international, national, regional and municipal agencies as well as private organizations and universities.

The Institute is registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  It is managed by an Executive Committee composed of its officers and donors. It was created for the purposes of conducting action research, providing technical assistance and offering specialized training to improve urban management.  It will carry out the tradition established by the Center for Urban Development Studies, including participation in specialized international networks of interest to urban development, including:

• The UN-Habitat Best Practices and Local Leadership Program;
• The Microcredit Summit;
• The Cultural Heritage in Development Network;
• The UN-Habitat Global Research Network on Human Settlements.