UrbanPlan is a realistic, engaging exercise in which participants—high school students, university students, or public officials—learn the fundamental forces that affect development in our communities. Participants experience challenging issues, private and public sector roles, complex trade-offs, and fundamental economics in play when proposing realistic land use solutions to vexing growth challenges. With UrbanPlan, participants learn how neighborhoods get built and see inside the complex considerations that go into every street corner. Then, they’ll put that knowledge into action, working side-by-side to reshape a neighborhood. Participants leave equipped with an understanding and vocabulary to shape their community long-term. UrbanPlan is open to non-ULI members!

Email [email protected] to learn how you can host a workshop in your community.

If you are interested in becoming an UrbanPlan volunteer, please fill out the volunteer interest form. Once you complete the form, you will receive a link for the training. The online, self-paced training takes about 2 hours to complete.

Volunteers Make UrbanPlan Possible

UrbanPlan Volunteer Training is free to both members and non-members.

Trained volunteers serve in the classroom as Facilitators or as members of a mock City Council for final participant presentations. They are tasked with challenging participants to think more critically about the UrbanPlan issues and the specific responsibilities of their “roles.” Volunteers also enjoy professional development and knowledge sharing while interacting with other mission-oriented professionals.

Facilitators

The role with the greatest impact, most responsibility, and least time commitment is the role of Facilitator. Facilitators meet twice with participant teams during the workshop. They challenge participants to think more critically about UrbanPlan issues and the specific responsibilities of their respective roles. Facilitators draw deeply on professional experience and are rewarded by creating excitement and inspiration in participants for the urban development process.

City Council

Being on the mock City Council is a fun volunteer opportunity, particularly for those who have sat on the other side of the table. Effective City Council members have development project experience, previously presented RFPs to city councils or planning boards, and have the time and willingness to learn the details of the UrbanPlan project case.