UrbanPlan is offered at over 30 high schools in economics, government, and other courses primarily in the junior and senior years. In the 15 class hours of the curriculum, students form development teams to respond to a “request for proposals” for the redevelopment of a blighted site in a fictional community. Each team member assumes one of five roles: Finance Director, Marketing Director, Environment and Equity Director, Neighborhood Liaison, or Site Planner.
Through these roles, students develop a visceral understanding of how various market forces (supply and demand, availability of capital, risk vs reward, etc.) clash and collaborate with non-market forces (regulation, politics, advocacy groups, etc.) to create the built environment. They must reconcile the often-competing agendas to create a well-designed, market-responsive, financeable, and buildable project.
Create Engaged Citizens
The curriculum was originally developed for economics and selected government classes. However, UrbanPlan is now offered at multiple class types, including Economics, Government, Marketing, Architectural Drawings, and more. The curriculum aligns with all state and national content standards for high school economics and provides a much-needed local government component to government classes.