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Shaping Places, Shaping Futures: High school students learn about urban planning through CMAP’s FLIP program 

High school students learned about how planning shapes the places we live and move through during the 17^th annual Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. 

Over the five-day program, students heard from planners, community partners, and local experts. FLIP is a leadership development opportunity offered every summer by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), giving high school students a chance to immerse themselves in the world of urban planning.   

Through hands-on activities and site visits across the region, students saw how thoughtful planning can influence communities. And they learned how they, as future leaders, can contribute to shaping what comes next for northeastern Illinois.   

Day 1: Thinking like a planner

The first day of FLIP kicked off with an introduction to CMAP’s history and the purpose of urban planning. Students learned about accessibility. Planners spoke about CMAP’s Accessible Communities Program and then led students in a walk audit through downtown Chicago, where they could spot accessible and inaccessible features throughout the community.   

Day 2: Climate 

FLIP’s second day focused on climate change and its connection to regional planning. Students heard about CMAP’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Greater Chicago and Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan and worked through prioritization and design activities.  

In the afternoon, students took a bus tour to Pilsen with Chicago historian Sherman ‘Dilla’ Thomas. He spoke about the area’s history, including community displacement downtown in favor of the University of Illinois Chicago campus, and community culture, represented through public art, small businesses, housing and more. 

“My favorite part of the program was the bus tour of Pilsen and Litle Village with Dilla, especially learning about how eminent domain in the area caused major population shifts,” said Patrick Dauray, a FLIP student from Lake County. “It was also really enlightening to hear the diverse viewpoints from students coming from all across the region — from far-flung suburbs to the City of Chicago itself.”  

Day 3: Megadevelopments and community impact 

Students began day three hearing from CMAP planners about how they use geographic information systems (GIS) and site-planning tools in their work. They also participated in a hands-on activity to create a development plane for parking lots outside Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

In the afternoon, students headed to Chinatown to meet with the Teen Coalition of Chinatown and learned about the new development of The 78 and how it impacts the surrounding community.

Chinatown community partner Debbie Liu then took students on a walking tour through the heart of the neighborhood, explaining the collaboration between CMAP and local leaders that helped create the Chinatown Community Vision Plan.

Day 4: Infrastructure 

Day four of FLIP covered transportation planning, funding, and infrastructure. To begin the day, CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman spoke with students about her path into planning and the many ways they can help shape the region’s future.

Students learned about CMAP’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and about sources of transportation funding. They also participated in a session on bike and pedestrian planning. Students reviewed traffic fatality statistics in northeastern Illinois.

The day closed with a tour of the Damen Green Line station from architect David Rader. Students learned that the station’s design is inspired by Chicago’s steel bridges, with green beams to match the Green Line and reflect the city’s industrial history.

Day 5: Academic and professional development 

To close out the 2026 FLIP program, students heard from CMAP team members. They shared their paths into planning and offered advice for the FLIP participants who would be interested in the field.

“What stood out most to me about FLIP was all the different career professionals we were able to hear from,” said Keerthana Varma, a FLIP student from Kane County. “Learning about urban planning during FLIP helped me decide to pursue urban planning in college as well!”

Dominick Argumedo, a member of the DEI Committee of the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association, spoke with students about how to highlight FLIP experience on their resume and shared practical tips for interviews and future opportunities.

To end FLIP on a high note, students presented their final projects to CMAP staff, showcasing what their future community could look like when shaped through thoughtful planning.

Thank you to everyone who made FLIP 2026 a success!