UrbanPlan, ULI’s educational outreach to teach high school students about the complexities of the development process was just completed at a new school, New Tech High School with 70 students participating.  This marks ULI Sacramento’s 8th year conducting UrbanPlan, which has been at McClatchy High since ULI Sacramento launched. Students learn about the tradeoffs between profits and equity issues, between jobs and development returns, and the complex political and economic process it takes to undertake development in today’s world.  UrbanPlan trained ULI Sacramento members engaged with the students twice during the 3 week course.  ULI also provided volunteer leadership to serve as the “City Council” to hear the team’s presentations and select a winning proposal.  UrbanPlan is heading to McClatchy High next for our 9th year in April.

Pictured is the winning team “Ramuk Development Company” with UrbanPlan and ULI member volunteers:  Harriet Steiner, Michael Smith, Tim Denham and David Wade.

New Tech High teacher, Josh Harmon says that “UrbanPlan was an amazing experience for our students. The project challenged them to think in new ways about economics and the world around them. Other teachers would comment throughout the course of the project on the intelligent, thoughtful discussions students would have regarding UrbanPlan. We are very appreciative for ULI supporting us in this project!”

You can learn more about UrbanPlan by going to:

http://www.uli.org/programs/local-programs/urbanplan-for-high-schools-universities