Learn how to design and deliver better cities for babies, toddlers & caregivers, because cities that work for young children, work for everyone.
The Urban95 Academy is a fully-sponsored leadership programme, delivered online over six weeks, to help city leaders design better cities for young children and their caregivers.
Urban95 Academy
A programme for city leaders
Residence week
Who attends?
Urban95 Academy Alumni Map
London Residence Week
Benefits of joining the Urban95 Academy

World-leading Education
The programme is designed & delivered by LSE Cities in LSE's School of Public Policy. Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion by the London School of Economics and cities with the most promising ideas for taking action will be invited to a fully-funded, intensive, week-long, in-person training in London on the LSE campus.
The programme is designed & delivered by LSE Cities in LSE's School of Public Policy. Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion by the London School of Economics and cities with the most promising ideas for taking action will be invited to a fully-funded, intensive, week-long, in-person training in London on the LSE campus.

Continued Support
Upon completing the programme, cities may be eligible to receive additional technical support from the Bernard van Leer Foundation and its partners and be invited to join the Urban95 global network of city practitioners and officials that are improving the lives of babies, toddlers and caregivers in their cities.
Upon completing the programme, cities may be eligible to receive additional technical support from the Bernard van Leer Foundation and its partners and be invited to join the Urban95 global network of city practitioners and officials that are improving the lives of babies, toddlers and caregivers in their cities.

Applied Knowledge
The programme focuses on analysis, strategy, and leadership with case studies from a range of cities that have already delivered Urban95 programmes. The online modules cover policies and programmes on mobility, public space, neighbourhood planning, accessibility, equity and inclusion.
Programme Partners
Bernard van Leer Foundation
The Bernard van Leer Foundation is an independent Dutch organisation working worldwide to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a good start in life. We inspire and inform large-scale action that improves the health and wellbeing of young children – especially the most vulnerable – and the people who care for them.
London School of Economics
LSE is a social science university based in central London with a global reach. Ranked first in Europe and second in the world for social sciences and management in the QS subject rankings 2021. Since 1895 the LSE has been pioneering social science research, challenging existing ways of thinking, and seeking to understand the causes of things in order to transform them.
LSE Cities
LSE Cities is an international centre that investigates the complexities of the contemporary city. It carries out research, graduate and executive education, outreach and advisory activities in London and abroad. Extending LSE’s century-old commitment to the understanding of urban society, LSE Cities investigates how complex urban systems are responding to the pressures of growth, change and globalisation with new infrastructures of design and governance that both complement and threaten social equity and environmental sustainability.
Knowledge Partners
Frequently asked questions
What is Urban95?
The Bernard van Leer Foundation’s Urban95 initiative works with city leaders, planners, architects and engineers to support the healthy development of young children growing up in cities. It is driven by a simple question – if you could experience the city from 95cm – the height of a healthy 3-year-old – what would you change? Its goal is to support healthier, safer, fairer and more vibrant cities for young children and for those who care for them. Click here to learn more.
Who can apply to the Urban95 Academy?
The Urban95 Academy is open to all local governments. To apply, a city will need to formally nominate three members of staff through an official letter of support to be submitted with the application to secure their spot.
Is there a face to face teaching component?
Upon completion of the six-week online learning programme, 10 cities from each cohort will be selected and invited to attend a week-long training programme in London. Selection will be based on the submission of a strategy proposal highlighting how the Urban95 programme could be implemented in their city. The in-person training programme will take place three months after the completion of the online learning component for each cohort.
What are the selection criteria?
Cities need to put forward teams of three and have an official nomination and endorsement letter to apply to the Urban95 Academy. Based on the number of applications, cities will be selected to ensure a diverse mix of geographical backgrounds.
Can I choose the cohort I would like to attend?
Applicants can request which cohort they would like to participate in and provide an explanation as to why. We will endeavor to place participants in their first choice, but in order to ensure balanced groups, it may not be possible.
How much time do I need to commit to attend the academy?
The Urban 95 Academy six-week programme will be presented across 12, 70-minute long, online learning modules as well as additional weekly virtual meetings with U95 Academy and Bernard van Leer Foundation and partner organisation leadership. Participants should expect to commit roughly four hours per week to programme.
Participants selected to attend the fully sponsored, week-long residence in London will need to be able to travel to London and participate in a range of events and in-person training over the course of the week.
What are the language requirements?
The Urban95 Academy is delivered in the English language and nominated participants will need to have a very good command of the language to fully benefit from the programme. Live session have simultaneous interpretation for Spanish and Portuguese.
What if I want to participate but I am not a city official?
The Urban 95 Academy is open to all municipalities, but applicants must be part of a local government team to be considered.