The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) was founded in 1980 by the Arab Towns Organization. As a regional organization, it works across 22 Arab countries, with headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It operates as a non-governmental, non-profit organization. Specializing in research and training in urban development and municipal affairs, AUDI focuses on the economic, environmental, and social development of Arab cities. AUDI is the first large-scale pan-Arab institute dedicated to urban development and municipal cooperation, and it remains unsurpassed in this role. Across its 43 years of existence, it has brought together municipalities, urban researchers, donors, and international organizations. Its network of 650+ municipalities, affiliated with the Arab Towns Organization, represents the largest in the Arab region.
