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High school students explore urban planning during CMAP’s 16th annual Future Leaders in Planning program

What Moves People? What Moves You? was this year’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) theme. FLIP is a leadership development program hosted by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) every summer, which exposes high school students to the world of urban planning. This week of activities, field trips, and guest speakers created a space for students to explore planning as a potential academic path, career, and lifelong interest.  

Day 1: Barriers to access 

The first day of the FLIP program focused on barriers to access. Students visited the Chicago Architecture Center and learned how the city has adapted historic buildings and landmarks over time based on existing needs. Students analyzed different intersections of the Loop in downtown Chicago, with special consideration of accessibility and safety for various forms of transportation.    

CMAP’s Regional Transportation Plan team gave a talk about planning the region’s transportation system for increased mobility and accessibility for all.  

“It was great to hear about how FLIP participants interact with transportation in their daily lives. They all had really interesting insights about how they like to get around and how limiting the current transportation system can be for high schoolers. They also already were thinking about how transportation has been used as a tool for discrimination against marginalized groups in the past and how those wrongs could be fixed. I wish we could have had an even longer discussion!” said CMAP Planner Maddy Clowse, after participating with the students. 

Day 2: Historic practices and preservation 

FLIP students kicked off the second day with CMAP Senior Policy Analyst Elizabeth Ginsberg, who discussed the economic history of the region.   

Afterwards, the group took a field trip to Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood, where they were welcomed by Tours & Office Coordinator Daniela Salgado and Executive Director Robert Montgomery of the Historic Pullman Foundation. Students explored the historic neighborhood through a walking tour, learning about how this early example of city planning influenced later practice and how themes around classism, capitalism, and labor organizing played a large role in the community’s development. We also revisited concepts of adaptive reuse of historic spaces discussed on day one. 

The students also paid a visit to Pullman National Historical Park, where they heard from Chief Civic Engagement Officer and Deputy Assessor (and former CMAPper) Kelwin Harris about his journey to urban planning, equity in planning work, and how students can get involved in planning in their communities now. 

Day 3: Planning in a cultural context 

The third day of the FLIP program began with a water taxi ride to Ping Tom Park in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. Students visited the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, where they learned about the neighborhood’s history. 

After a quick photo at the museum mural, Chinatown native Debbie Liu guided the group around the neighborhood and discussed planning challenges and opportunities it grapples with, including parking, housing, outdoor space, and highway infrastructure that has physically divided communities. 

Students ended the day at the Chinatown Centennial Mural with artist Roman Villareal and the Chicago Public Art Group to learn about mural’s three-dimensional dragon and public art restoration efforts.  

“The Chinatown trip with the Future Leaders in Planning program was a highlight of my week!” said Lily Brack, a senior planner at CMAP and a FLIP chaperone. “I enjoyed learning about the history of Chinatown and Chinese culture, and the students’ passion, fresh perspectives, and questions highlighted the importance of integrating culture into planning.” 

Day 4: Environmental stewardship and conservation 

FLIP students started the fourth day with an interactive presentation by CMAP team members about climate action planning in the region. 

The group spent the first part of the afternoon with urban wildlife expert Seth Magle at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center in the Lincoln Park Zoo, where they learned about the importance of supporting and planning for urban wildlife and how planners can do so in innovative ways. 

After enjoying some free time at the zoo, the group headed south via CTA bus to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) office and to learn from MWRD staff and President of the Board of Commissioners Kari Steele about wastewater treatment and stormwater management work, environmental justice missions and initiatives, and employment opportunities. 

“It was wonderful to see so many high school students learning about urban planning at such a young age,” said Katie Gienapp, a regional policy and implementation intern at CMAP and a FLIP chaperone. “Climate change can seem like such a daunting issue, especially for young people, but it’s empowering to realize that we can take action to mitigate and prepare for the worst effects of climate change. Even if these students don’t pursue planning as a profession, they are better equipped to be active civic participants in their communities.” 

Day 5: Academic and career development 

The final day of FLIP 2024 began with a panel from CMAP team members, who discussed their journeys to planning, projects they’re currently working on, and advice they have for young planners at the start of their journeys.  

After lunch, students heard from Denise Burchard from the Northern Illinois University Master of Public Administration program, Jarrell Blakey from the Village of South Holland, and J.D. Barrett from the Village of Tinley Park, who talked about opportunities for prospective planners and careers in local government.  

During a long lunch break, students explored the rooftop at the Old Post Office, making good use of the basketball and pickleball courts.  

The students then displayed the knowledge they gained throughout the week in their final projects, which they presented in an open house event. Students had two final project options: 1) creating a short form video inspired by Elevated Chicago’s TikTok series “Can You Walk There?” detailing a trip from a location of their choice (e.g., a school, hospital, apartment building, park, etc.) to a nearby transit stop; or 2) proposing a new development at a vacant lot using CMAP’s Community Data Snapshots to learn about the neighborhood and its needs.  

“I found the students’ knowledge about different planning topics truly impressive,” said CMAP Planner Brett Brown. “When I was their age, I had no idea about planning, so it was inspiring to witness them effectively sharing their expertise during their final presentations.”