Teams use color-coded LEGOs to create a “massing plan” and a pro forma for their development proposal responding to a city RFP.
UrbanPlan Workshops for APA Idaho Conference Attendees
September 23, 2020
Schedule an UrbanPlan Workshop with ULI Idaho through June 2021 and receive 30% off workshop fees.
Bring UrbanPlan to Your City
Reach out for more information about the program, delivery options (virtual or in person), and a quote with your APA conference discount.
What is UrbanPlan?
UrbanPlan is a realistic, engaging curriculum developed by the Fisher School of Economics, University of California, Berkeley. It provides participants with hands-on experience addressing the issues, trade-offs, and economics of land-use planning and urban redevelopment. Through UrbanPlan, participants discover how the forces of our market economy clash and collaborate with the non-market forces of our representative democracy to create the built environment.
Once the teams have a proposal completed, a ULI volunteer challenges their decisions and teams update and improve their plans.
The challenge culminates with a presentation to a “City Council Selection Committee” that questions each team on its proposal and how well it fulfills the RFP requirements.
“Understanding markets and risks makes planners better communicators with developer partners. Understanding social and political influences helps developers manage risk more effectively. UrbanPlan could transform the public/private dialogue.”
Mark Rhoades, AICP
past Planning Manager, City of Berkeley, California
By taking on the role of developer, participants in the workshop broaden their knowledge of:
- the basics of a pro forma and funding complex projects,
- the economics of different building types and community benefits,
- the different time horizons for the public and private sectors,
- the risks associated with lengthy negotiations, and,/li>
- the importance of a clear and open process for land use and development decisions.