UrbanPlan harnesses the power of experiential learning to drive participants to more deeply engage in the complex nature of land-use decisions and inspire them to take an active role as engaged citizens to create better communities.

What Is UrbanPlan?

UrbanPlan is a realistic, engaging exercise in which participants—high school students, university students, community members, 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.

In the Americas, UrbanPlan was active in 39 of 57 District Councils and ran in 27 States + DC, Mexico, and Canada in 2023-2024. 

UrbanPlan Brochure

High Schools	Universities	Communities
Create engaged citizens	Develop professional skills	Leverage public/private partnerships

Learn More about UrbanPlan National Competition here.

UrbanPlan by the Numbers

What ULI Members Say About UrbanPlan

RON NAHAS, Principal, Rafanelli & Nahas

“The education of tomorrow’s voters, neighbors, community leaders, public officials, and land use professionals is mission critical for ULI.”

KIM DIAMOND, Managing Director, Trumark Urban

“UrbanPlan volunteer training goes deeper than any traditional real estate development class. The takeaway value transcends effective volunteering. The intellectual discipline and Socratic method of questioning are assets in my work life.”

BRYAN THORNTON, Partner, Pacific Coast Capital

“Like Advisory Services panels, UrbanPlan does what ULI does best: help external audiences understand how market and nonmarket forces in their community affect what can be approved, financed, built, and sustainably tenanted. That’s essential for any meaningful discussion about land use.”

Interested in serving as a volunteer?

ULI welcomes members with at least five years’ experience in commercial real estate or land use as UrbanPlan volunteers. Volunteers are expected to volunteer at least once a year, and opportunities include both in-person and virtual options lasting anywhere from one hour to one day. If you are interested in learning more about how to become an UrbanPlan volunteer, please email us at [email protected]. 

Schools, teachers, and students – contact us at [email protected].

Want to support UrbanPlan in other ways?

Give Back via ULI Annual Fund

Interested in learning as an industry professional?

ULI Learning provides real estate education for professionals, students, and the public. Industry courses and certificates offer you an opportunity to develop your professional knowledge and skills and gain a better understanding of specific product types and issues in commercial real estate. Topics range from foundational courses, like excel and pro formats, to current topics, including ESG, affordable housing, public private partnerships, and much more.

Two formats are available to accommodate different needs: live online and on-demand. Explore ULI Learning’s live course offerings to participate in full lectures and Q&A sessions. Meet with instructors in real time over Zoom and ask questions about the material. Strengthen your real estate skills at a flexible pace by exploring ULI Learning’s on-demand modules taught by instructors with diverse industry experience.

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