GPUF - Our Story

A Glocal Platform for Urban Finance

The Urban Economy Forum (UEF) and Aragon Enterprise Corp launched the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF), a groundbreaking initiative created to transform the way cities access and utilize financial mechanisms and investment opportunities, at the Urban Economy Forum 5 (UEF5) and the 59th World Planning Congress (WPC59) in Toronto, Canada on October 10, 2023. A platform that connects existing global, regional, and national financial mechanisms (global) and brings them to the level where they can have high benefits and opportunities (local). This global/local (glocal) platform connects the dots of local responses that address local and global problems with these financial mechanisms. This platform creates the conditions to have access to the necessary financial mechanisms. Cities need an urban finance platform that operates glocally.

The Glocal Platform for Urban Finance supports cities in accessing and navigating these financial mechanisms, advocating the strong role that cities play and bringing key stakeholders together. The Glocal Platform provides technical advisory services to localize global and national agendas with proper funding, testing, and adopting innovative solutions for urban finance.

The Glocal Platform facilitates and leads dialogue on how cities can provide adequate solutions to their problems, but also to global challenges. For this purpose, it creates the necessary networks and mechanisms to catalyze knowledge and share practices, and lobby for the needs and understanding of cities with national governments and international organizations.

Our Story

Urban Economy Forum

Urban Economy Forum (UEF), a leader for global dialogue and innovative solutions on sustainable urban resources, with the mission to accelerate urban transformation toward sustainability through capacity building, innovation, and partnerships, was formed.

World Urban Pavilion by UN-Habitat established in Regent Park

A historic international partnership between, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The City of Toronto, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Urban Economy Forum, and the Daniels Corporation to establish the Regent Park World Urban Pavilion. The launch was moderated by newly elected Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre Marci Len, and speakers included Ibrahim Afrah community representative from Regent Park, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister for Families, Children and Social Development, Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto, and Director of UN-Habitat office in Mexico and Cuba Region and head of knowledge and Innovation, Dr. Eduardo Moreno.

Aragon Enterprise was incorporated

Aragon Enterprise Corp, a business consultant team, with a mission to be partners, guides, and shampoos of entrepreneurial journies was incorporated. The company is rooted in the vibrant Canadian startup ecosystem.

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE WORLD URBAN PAVILION IN REGENT PARK - POWERED BY DANIELS

The World Urban Pavilion in Toronto’s Regent Park is a collaborative initiative between founding partners, Urban Economy Forum, UN-Habitat, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and The Daniels Corporation.

UEF and Aragon signed an agreement to launch GPUF

Agreement To establish the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF)

Launch of the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance

Amir Hossein Kashfi, Managing Director at Aragon Business Advisory Corp. shares how the Platform will be leveraged for the private sector and start-ups.

World Summit on UNHabitat's SDG Cities and Urban Finance

On February 13th and 14th, the Pavilion hosted the World Summit on UNHabitat's SDG Cities and Urban Finance, marking a significant milestone for the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF)

Urban Economics and Finance - GPUF idea was introduced

During UEF4, the concept of introducing a global-local platform for urban finance was first proposed.

Strategic Partnership between Alt-VC and GPUF for Urban Finance Innovation

A new partnership between the GPUF and Alt Venture Capital Corporation to enhance GPUF's financial capacity by attracting new partners and resources, enabling us to design and implement innovative global pilot projects.

GPUF singed MOU with GSN

The Glocal Platform for Urban Finance - GPUF and the Glocal Smart Nexus (GSN), two entities of the Urban Economy Forum, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on Urban Finance, Urban Economy, and Urban Development. This collaboration aims to leverage each entity's strengths to drive progress in urban finance, economy, and development, promoting sustainable and equitable urban growth.

Richmond Hill Partners with Urban Economy Forum to Advance Sustainable Development in Canadian Cities

The City of Richmond Hill has been named Canada’s first Frontrunner City, in partnership with the Urban Economy Forum (UEF)! 🌍 This milestone aligns perfectly with the GPUF mission to foster sustainable urban economies and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.