This past summer, members of Carnegie Mellon University’s UDream program and Neighborhood Allies’ Real Estate Co-Powerment Series, along with others who work in the community development space, came together for Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) innovative UrbanPlan workshop.

According to ULI’s brochure, “UrbanPlan harnesses the power of experiential learning to help community members dig deeper into the complexities of land-use decisions and the critical role those decisions play in shaping our communities.

During this one-day workshop for community groups and community members, participants will engage with land use decisions through real-world simulation. In doing so, they can better understand the tradeoffs and risks at play in redevelopment, especially through public-private partnerships (PPPs).”

Here’s how it worked: Participants formed “development firms,” which worked together to respond to a hypothetical Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of a disinvested neighborhood in a fictional city, navigating financial, social, political, and design issues, all while being guided through the process by industry professionals. Attendees of the workshop were introduced to topics such as the basics of a pro forma, the economics and community benefits of different building types, and more!

The workshop, which took place in June, was a huge success, bringing together 23 participants! Check out some photos of the day-long session below!