UrbanPlan | ULI Hong Kong

UrbanPlan harnesses the power of experiential learning to drive students 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 global educational initiative developed by the Urban Land Institute as a realistic, interactive classroom-based team challenge, in which students learn about the fundamental forces that affect urban regeneration.

The program is intended for 16-18-year-olds, typically in Secondary 4-6 (Grades 10-12). It is delivered by class teachers during the pre-lessons and ULI instructors, assisted by industry professionals, during the challenge workshop. Our industry professionals are trained in UrbanPlan and volunteer their time to take on facilitation and judging duties. The program is funded through the generous contributions of our sponsors and is free to schools.

“This is the sort of learning every student should be doing. It’s about analysis, it’s about collaboration and it’s about creativity… this is different, it’s not out of a textbook”

Dr Malcolm Pritchard
Head of The ISF Academy

Students collaborating during team challenge.

UrbanPlan in Hong Kong

The 2024-25 academic year will be our seventh in Hong Kong. Since 2018, we have partnered with 27 schools, local and international. A total of 1561 students have now experienced UrbanPlan in Hong Kong, as we continue to roll out the program, with a core focus on bringing UrbanPlan to local schools . UrbanPlan aligns with several curriculum streams, from geography and urban environment to economics and business studies.

Value of UrbanPlan

“That learning experience is really unique, engaging and effective.”
“The feedback from the judges was definitely one of the most important takeaways for our girls.”

Daphne Ho
***Former Principal, Marymount Secondary School***

ULI members volunteered as facilitators at workshop.

Our Volunteer Facilitators

The successful delivery of the program would not be possible without the industry professionals who volunteer their time to UrbanPlan. Having undergone prior mandatory training in UrbanPlan, our volunteer facilitators join the workshops to provide guidance to the student teams using the Socratic method. They additionally serve as the judging panel at the end of the workshop, providing each team with valuable feedback on their final schemes and pitch presentations, before choosing a winner.

UrbanPlan Workshop at ULI APAC Summit 2019 in Shanghai.

Our Funding & Funding Partners

UrbanPlan is offered to schools for free, with all pre-lesson and challenge collaterals provided. A small dedicated instructor team engages in school outreach and curriculum development, to ensure UrbanPlan remains relevant, relatable and engaging. As a self-financed enrichment program, UrbanPlan is reliant on the generous financial and in-kind support of our sponsors. We are very grateful for their multi-year contributions to the program, without which we would not be able to run UrbanPlan.

GET INVOLVED

For more information on how to engage with this program in Hong Kong, either as a ULI member volunteer, school or organization, please contact us at [email protected].