In alignment with the Global Urban October initiative led by UN-Habitat, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), through its Faculty of Architecture & Planning, Department of Urban & Regional Planning organized a series of academic and community-oriented activities aimed at promoting sustainable urban development and fostering dialogue on the future of cities. These activities seeks to enhance awareness, research, and education around the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Throughout October, KAU hosted lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and student-led events that explored pressing urban challenges in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the global agenda for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urbanization. The events brought together academics, practitioners, students, and local stakeholders to discuss themes such as Urban challenges in KSA, urban heritage, Technologies for Urban Planning, Child Friendly Cities, and community engagement . By engaging its diverse academic community and local partners, KAU reaffirmed its position as a leading institution in advancing urban knowledge and education in the Arab region. The Urban October program not only celebrated the university’s ongoing commitment to urban innovation and sustainability but also strengthened its collaboration with UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Lectures and GEM initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of higher education institutions in shaping the urban futures of the Global Sout