Jane Lin

Participating in UrbanPlan has helped me connect with other ULI members in a meaningful way. UrbanPlan is the largest shared project amongst our colleagues at ULI. We all know the site, the parameters, and have heard multiple solutions. The things we do in UrbanPlan typically lead back to the work that we do in our careers.

UrbanPlan is a great way to feel connected to your local community and your professional community.

I was most surprised by how much of a challenge it is for those who are new to real estate development and also those who know a lot. The development of an opportunity site involves many people in different roles and is a fascinating exercise that reveals how our decisions result in what we see in the built environment.

What I value the most from participation in UrbanPlan is the opportunity to work with our future community advocates. Whether that’s in a high school classroom or with city council members. When each understands the roles, perspectives, and trade-offs in real estate, we all benefit!

Rod Roche

I have been a member of ULI for over seven years and am currently serving as a Co-Chair of our ULI SF DEI Committee. I’ve been fortunate to support and participate in several UrbanPlan for Communities (UP4C) events over this past year including Black Cultural Zone, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services (RHNS), and Young Community Developers (YCD).

As a Bay Area native and ULI SF’s DEI Co-Chair, it’s been extremely rewarding working with deeply rooted community organizations though intense one-day UP4C workshops and aid in its understanding of the fundamental forces that affect the built environment and the important leadership roles that public officials, and community members play in the real estate development process.

What I value most from my participation in UP4C is the opportunity for giving back not only to my/our communities, but also to help foster and spark a light under our next generation of future leaders in the built environment.

Mark Sawicki

Participating in UrbanPlan, I have been most surprised and impressed by two things:
First is the depth and quality of the program and materials that have been created and refined over the years, capturing the many facets of real-world development. The Excel model, the letters, and the RFP are all well done. I personally like to “get in character” when volunteering on the mock city council!

Second is the level of commitment and preparedness that the students bring to the UrbanPlan process, and the quality of their presentations. Not only do they engage in material and a format that is unlike most of their other school work, but they are asked to present it to industry professionals and defend their choices. This is such great practice, and it is wonderful to see them rise to meet the challenge!

What I value most from UrbanPlan is the opportunity it provides for students to better appreciate and understand the complexity, nuances, and tradeoffs inherent in community development. One of my favorite responses from a student was, “I will never look at a surface parking lot the same way again!”