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Community Members

Empower community members through knowledge of the development process so that all in a community can work toward equitable city-building.

Through this hands-on and engaging workshop, community members learn how land use decisions are made and become a stronger, united voice in shaping their community. Participants experience the challenging issues, perspectives, trade-offs, and fundamental economics at play and will leave with tools to create collaborative relationships with public officials and the development community. 

Feel Empowered as a Community Member

UrbanPlan helps empower community members and community organizations to become active, vested stakeholders in the future of their neighborhoods. Participants experience the challenging issues, perspectives, trade-offs, and fundamental economics at play. What type of development do they want? Or do they not want development at all? Leave understanding the importance of having a voice in the process and how to use that voice to shape their community.

Outcomes

By taking on the role of developer, participants in the workshop get a chance to broaden their knowledge in the following areas: 

  • the basics of a pro forma (financial model) and funding a complex project 
  • the economics of different building types and community benefits 
  • the different time horizons for the public and private sectors and how they work in tandem 
  • the risk associated with lengthy negotiations among all parties 
  • the importance of a clear and open process in the selection of a private partner 

Community Workshops

  • About the Program

    Memphis, TN

    ULI Memphis reached over 300 citizens through a multi-year series of UrbanPlan Workshops delivered in partnership with the City of Memphis and the University of Memphis Design Collaborative. The goal was to help community members understand the process and value of urban planning while the city was updating its Comprehensive Plan. 

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  • About the Program

    Philadelphia, PA

    ULI Philadelphia delivers UrbanPlan Workshops in partnership with the City of Philadelphia to reach Citizen’s Planning Institute graduates and Registered Community Organization board members. The most recent workshop that the District Council delivered Workshop was part of the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations’ Forward Equitable Development Conference in fall 2022.

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  • About the Program

    Portland, OR

    ULI Northwest partnered with city agency Prosper Portland to bring an UrbanPlan Workshop to community organizers from Portland’s Southwest Corridor, a socioeconomically and racially diverse area facing development pressures so that the community members can advocate for the best interest of their neighborhoods.

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Success Story

As a seasoned professional, I am always looking for ways to introduce planning and development concepts in a way that is not daunting. UrbanPlan is that tool! It is interactive and provides participants with the opportunity to actively engage in a simulated scenario that incorporates input from a variety of partners.

– Chet Jackson, The Works Inc., Memphis

Success Story

I think this program enables us to have a stronger voice at the table and feel more comfortable in having a role in the [development] process. It takes the mystery out and gives us some of the tools that we need to play that role efficiently and effectively.

– Community Member, Philadelphia

95% of Participants

Would recommend UrbanPlanto a friend or colleague

92% of Students

Were ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to draw upon UrbanPlanin their civic community endeavors