CNT is excited to announce a new partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center to develop the Chicago Community Planning Academy.

Applications are now open – we and our partners at Architecture Center are looking to assemble a cohort of 15 community members with a priority for applicants from Bronzeville, Englewood, Jackson Park, North Lawndale, South Chicago/The Bush, and Woodlawn.

Our goal is to create a new platform to empower residents with the knowledge and tools to navigate existing systems and ensure that their values and priorities are reflected in how cities are resourced.

The Chicago Community Planning Academy creates a thriving community of empowered participants who actively engage in formal planning and design processes to advocate for and create more equitable, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods through continuous, equity-centered education and networking.

We’re focusing the effort here because of upcoming flows of City bond monies to support new housing and economic development. We will be accepting applications through December 15 and reviewing them on a rolling basis.

The program is a practical application of CNT’s vision that urban environments are resilient, sustainable and livable for people from all walks of life by:

• Providing content education about urban planning processes
• Creating networking opportunities between residents and public, academic, and industry leaders to amplify their collective influence,
• Practicing skills to advocate for systemic changes and meaningful resources that better reflect resident vision for their communities.

Leaders and faculty like Dr. April Jackson, associate professor at UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, will lay down foundational content for participants at weekly sessions at the Chicago Architecture Center

In its pilot year, the Chicago Community Planning Academy will run from January 28 to March 18, 2025 on Tuesday nights.

The curriculum begins with a history of planning Chicago and community planning concepts and then will zoom into land use and zoning, housing, and commercial development with a capstone session for participants to home in on skills to implement their learnings outside of the classroom.

CNT pulls on its experiences from running the Civic Innovation Hub and hosting the RainReady resident steering committees to advise Chicago Architecture Center on best practices on how to provide opportunities for deeper understanding of policy issues for residents who are committed to their communities and want to learn more on how to effectively shape their future.