About
Who we are
Faith for Cities is a dynamic initiative focused on empowering cities to harness the positive influence of faith communities in addressing urban challenges. By fostering collaboration between religious institutions, governments, and civil society, Faith for Cities promotes just and ecologically sustainable development, resilience, and social cohesion. Our approach is rooted in covenantal pluralism, encouraging diverse faith groups to work together while maintaining their unique identities. We provide tools, strategies, and partnerships that enable cities to effectively engage with faith-based organizations for transformative urban development. Together, we create solutions that benefit all residents, shaping vibrant, equitable cities now and for future generations.
Faith for Cities was born in 2023 through a Templeton Religion Trust (TRT) planning grant. The grant's stakeholder engagement process galvanized a multi-faith network of urban focused organizations.
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Review the TRT planning grant at this link.​
Dr. Chris Elisara
Executive Director, Faith for Cities
Background Paper for WUF12
Dr. Chris Elisara is a champion of urban design and placemaking that makes places better for all. As the Vice President of Strategic Development for Thriving Cities Group and the Executive Director of Faith for Cities, Dr. Elisara is at the forefront of innovative urban development initiatives.
Dr. Elisara is a renowned urban design and placemaking advocate, committed to transforming cities into thriving, sustainable, and inclusive environments. His expertise is rooted in a rich history of revitalizing American cities, a journey that found its expression during his tenure on the board of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) from 2016-2018 and the co-founding of the CNU Members Christian Caucus.
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Internationally, Dr. Elisara's influence extends through his pivotal roles within UN-Habitat, including his leadership in the World Urban Campaign and chairing the task force for SDG Cities. His faith-driven approach to urban development was amplified as a Senior Fellow at Duke Divinity School’s Ormond Center, where he founded the Studio for Placemaking.
As the co-director of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Sustainability Center, Dr. Elisara represents the interests and perspectives of over 600 million evangelicals globally at esteemed international platforms, including the World Economic Forum, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UNFCC, and UN-Habitat. His advocacy and leadership have been instrumental in bridging the gap between faith and sustainable urban development, fostering collaborations that are rooted in shared values and visions for thriving cities.
Dr. Elisara’s holistic approach to urban revitalization is also evident in his storytelling endeavors. He co-founded First+Main Films and Better Cities Film Festival, an international film festival dedicated to the narrative of city transformation, underscoring the power of storytelling in shaping the trajectories of urban landscapes.
His current engagements include leading the Templeton Religion Trust grant project “Faith for Cities” and serving as a consulting expert for the World Economic Forum’s "Faith in Action" project, slated for release in January 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. In every endeavor, Dr. Elisara’s commitment to fostering cities that are not only structurally sound but also socially and spiritually vibrant remains unwavering.
The Faith for Cities Delivery team
Thriving Cities Group (TCG)
TCG uses a multi-disciplinary approach that brings together decades of research, training, community organizing and technology.
Synergine Group Limited (Synergine)
Synergine enables and curates transformative solutions for organisations, communities and cities.
Relight
Relight is the communication and collaboration hub within the Faith for Cities initiative. It’s where ideas, insights, and innovations converge, and multi-faith stakeholders find a common ground. Relight is not just a technology platform; it’s a space where dialogues are transformed into actionable insights, and collaborative efforts yield sustainable urban development solutions. In the complex landscape of urban development, Relight stands as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable progress.
Advisory Commitee
Background Paper for WUF12
Steve Chiu │ Tzu Chi │ Buddhist
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As a representative at the UN for the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Steve Chiu combines disaster relief with sustainable development. He emphasizes the power of grassroots action in shaping global policy, illustrating how local efforts can lead to significant international impact. His work highlights the Buddhist principles of compassion and service in addressing global challenges.
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Nadia Mian, Ph.D. │ Rutgers University │ Muslim
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Dr. Nadia Mian is the Senior Program Director of the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement and a Lecturer at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She holds a Ph.D. from The New School, and Masters in Environmental Studies, where she specialized in urban planning from York University in Toronto, Canada. Her research focuses on faith-based property development and examines how faith-based institutions are advocating for land use and zoning reform to build affordable housing.
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Gopal Patel │ Bhumi Global │ Hindu
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Gopal Patel is a global environmental leader and advocate, co-founder of Bhumi Global. Deeply engaged in mobilizing the global Hindu community for environmental action, he serves as an influential advisor in interfaith and environmental initiatives. His work emphasizes the importance of integrating Hindu principles with environmental activism to foster a more sustainable world.​
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Kamran Shezad │ Bahu Trust │ Muslim
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Kamran Shezad is an environmental sustainability expert whose work spans advocacy, education, and mobilization within Islamic communities in the UK and Africa. Affiliated with the Bahu Trust, he contributes significantly to eco-conscious initiatives and interfaith collaborations. Kamran focuses on integrating Islamic teachings with environmental action to promote sustainability and social responsibility.
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Graham Singh │ Relèven │ Christian
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Graham Singh is the visionary behind transforming historic churches into community hubs through Relèven (formerly known as Trinity Centres Foundation). Leveraging his vast experience in community renewal and social impact investing, he repurposes sacred spaces to serve broader community needs. Graham also shares his expertise by teaching impact investing as guest faculty at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.​​
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Jeffrey Tiell │ Irving Harris Foundation │ Jewish
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Jeffrey Tiell is a cross-sector professional dedicated to building and scaling social change for a more just and equitable society. As a Program Officer at the Irving Harris Foundation, he supports social justice initiatives focused on field leadership, advocacy, and movement building within the Jewish community. With a background in philanthropy, community development, and policy, Jeffrey specializes in civic engagement, strategic planning, and participatory community development.