Mori Urban Institute for the Future

As the dawn of this new century brightens, we are witnessing ever increasing cross border flows of people, goods, capital and data to cities that are considered to be the most internationally attractive. What elements, however, define the appeal of particular cities? Which cities are capable of creating environments that support knowledge, culture and information, then amplify them and create environments for further evolution? What will comprise the optimum urban lifestyle of this century? Taking these questions into account, we are now in a position to review our cities from different perspectives and on a grander scale.
"Mori Urban Institute for the Future" has commenced its activities with the distinct, yet broad goal of considering the present and future of our cities. Though on one level cities are merely local infrastructures that support our everyday lives and form hubs of economic activity, in actual fact the entirety of city functions is far too vast to be grasped by such a basic definition. Therefore, through ground-breaking use of a multitude of media, including film and models, the Institute will delineate the meaning of cities.
From this day on, the Institute will endeavor, by adopting innovative approaches and viewpoints, to nurture an international network of cooperative programs under the "city" theme as a pioneer center for the transmission of information regarding cities and urban cultures.