A key issue preventing a more diverse urban planning field is the simple fact that young people have often never heard of planning and related disciplines as possible career paths. Also, current urban planners often fail to reach young people in their process—leaving out some of the most important and creative voices in the decision-making process. 

YULP’s mission is to connect DivComm’s network of professionals with youth and spark an interest in urban planning and civic engagement, particularly among BIPOC and other underrepresented individuals. We do this by holding workshops, panels, and career days with youth ranging from elementary through the undergraduate level.

Our flagship initiative, the Youth Urban Leadership Program Fellowship, began in 2019 as a partnership between DivComm, The Mission Society of NY, and ELLIS Preparatory Academy under Mission’s Learning to Work program.  More than 30 DivComm volunteers led three urban planning cohorts of Junior and Senior students at the ELLIS Academy to complete innovative projects that address neighborhood problems. The young urban planners led their own planning processes by conducting research, engaging with community members and stakeholders, and preparing deliverables. 

Students participating in YULP learn about new professions and career paths in urban planning and design, public policy and government, economic and community development, transportation and sustainability, and public engagement. We believe that bringing young people into the planning process is critical to creating more equitable cities, as they bring a unique perspective on how they occupy or are excluded from public spaces and institutions. Through our work, we hope to increase the role young people play in planning their city.