This paper outlines the WUDAPT (World Urban Database and Access Portal Tools) concept and highlights progress to date in developing  this database for cities around the world. The next steps in the WUDAPT project are outlined, both in the immediate and longer term. Ultimately the goal is to provide an open access resource on urban morphology, materials and metabolism for all major cities that can be  used for many different applications, in particular for climate and weather modelling, and urban climate change studies.