​The UM-Cities platform was settled in 2014, under the chairmanship of Professor José Mendes, then vice-rector of the University of Minho. The headquarters was located in the Campus of Gualtar, in Braga.

The UM-Cities was presented to the public on June 13, 2014. The ceremony, which took place at the Campus of Gualtar, was attended by the President of CCDR-N, Emídio Gomes, the Rector of UMinho, António Cunha, and by the Vice-Rector and President of UM-Cities José Mendes.

On November 26, 2015, Professor José Mendes resigned from the University of Minho in order to take office as Assistant Secretary of State and Environment of the XXI Constitutional Government.

On January 5, 2016, Professor Paulo Cruz, was appointed President of UM-Cities.

In December 2016, UM-Cities move its headquarters to the Advanced Centre for Postgraduate Training in Guimarães being coordinated by a Board of Directors with the following constitution: Paulo Cruz (President); Paulo Pereira; Ricardo Machado.

On May 23, 2018, considering previous experience and the revision of objectives under the new institutional strategy and leadership of UMinho, it was nominated a new Direction of UM-Cities.

Paulo Pereira (Coordinator)
Full Professor
School of Engineering
Director of CTAC – Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction

Ivo Oliveira
Auxiliar Professor
School of Architecture
Lab2PT – Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory

Paulo Novais
Associated Professor with Habilitation
School of Engineering
Centre Algoritmi

Rita Ribeiro
Auxiliar Professor
Institute of Social Sciences
CECS – Communication and Society Research Centre