After running four virtual cohorts over the past two years, CPI took a break and designed five online classes for alumni only. We received registrations from about 40 alumni, representing cohorts from 2010-2022 and averaged 10-12 people per class. You can access video excerpts from two of the classes on the CPI website!
We’ve continued to receive a high number of applications for the remote courses, (thanks for helping us get the word out!) but it’s hard to create a “community” when we don’t see each other LIVE. We plan to design some alternative ways for us to stay connected this spring!
Our last class featured a walk-through of the prototype “ CPI in a Box”- also on the website. To get your physical copy (in testing mode), let us know! We want your feedback! |
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Box Pick-up Hour
We’ll be setting up in the lobby of our offices (1515 Arch St) on Thursday December 15th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. distributing boxes. Stop by during your visit to Christmas Village!
Fall 22 Class Materials
SharePoint access (for those that registered for classes): Recordings will be removed by the end of December. Download the information you’re interested in before then!
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New resources added to our website! |
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Interested in acquiring and developing publicly owned land but do not know where to start? This workshop covers how the city sells land for side yards and gardens.
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City Planner Ian Hegarty provides a deeper dive and an update on current thinking about zoning.
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In this guide by Safe Routes Philly, you will learn what a traffic garden is, how to make one, and maintain one.
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How to find class recordings and other resources: |
1. Go to our website citizensplanninginstitute.org
2. Then in the white toolbar at the top, navigate to “Tools You Can Use”
3. Once you click on that, a gray box should come up. From there, click on “Helpful Resources”.
4. Find the video you are looking for in the cards.
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Have you found resources that would benefit other citizen planners? Email us at cpi@phila.gov so we can upload them to our website. Thanks for your contributions! |
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MADE Holiday Shopping

Thursday, December 1st, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Support your friends and colleagues in the Architecture & Design community as they sell their artwork at MADE. Families and children welcome. Food and beverage will be provided. Our board member Heidi Levy will be participating in this event!
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Youth Garden Grant
Since 1982, the Youth Garden Grant has supported school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for students and their communities. In 2023, fifty programs will receive award packages consisting of a cash prize and a variety of gardening tools and supplies.
Any organization in the United States or US Territories planning a new or improving an existing garden program that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 0 and 18 is eligible to apply. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners are not eligible.
Deadline to apply is Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11:59 pm PT
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"Changing the Face of the City" Panel Discussion

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
4:00-6:00 pm - Center for Architecture + Design (1218 Arch Street)
A thought-provoking panel discussion of leaders in the built environment to explore how the historic dynamics of preservation and urban planning have affected current practices in real-estate development, housing, etc.
Moderated by Carpenters' Company member and one of DAG's founders, Alan Greenberger, the panel includes John Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation; Matt Ruben, President of the Northern Liberties Neighbors' Association; Eleanor Sharpe, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Planning Commission; and Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, Partner at Mosaic Development Partners.
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Framing the Future of the Roundhouse: Reporting Back
Thursday, December 8th at 5:30pm, virtual
The Roundhouse, officially called the Police Administration Building, has a complicated relationship to its neighbors and Philadelphians in general. Now that the building is no longer used by the Philadelphia Police, the City plans to sell it. To help determine the terms of the sale, the City hired a team of public engagement consultants to investigate how Philadelphians feel about the building. The results of this investigation will be presented to the public in a virtual webinar on Thursday, December 8th at 5:30 P.M.
The session will feature a presentation on Meaningful Placemaking from Mindy Fullilove and Dan Rothschild, a review of the project scope and feedback collected so far, and a presentation of 'next steps' by the city.
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Upcoming Civic Engagement Virtual Learning Series Sessions:
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Volunteer Management and Retention: How to manage volunteers so that they keep coming back. December 21, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
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Community Meeting Management: How to host a successful meeting and manage conflict. January 18, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
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Neighborhood Slow Zone Program
The Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Slow Zone Program, connecting community members and engineers to design and build traffic calming safety improvements on residential streets. Local knowledge from residents is essential for identifying and designing improvements that make neighborhood streets safer for all residents, no matter how they choose to travel. Applications are open now through January 15th, 2023. Visit their website to learn about the Neighborhood Slow Zone Program and apply today! |
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Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma - Special Initiatives Funding Opportunity
Operated by the Philadelphia ReCAST Initiative, this special funding initiative gives up to $10,000 to each qualified project that aims to create safe spaces for youth/young adults, address stress and trauma/build resilience, beautify neighborhoods, or provide training on trauma and youth mental health, etc. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through January 15, 2023.
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CPI is looking for our next intern!
Responsibilities include:
- drafting Citizen Planner stories for the CPI website and updating the website,
- developing materials for course sessions,
- assisting with classes and after-class evaluation forms, recordings, and session summaries,
- development of program metrics and mapping,
- updating research on planning academies nationally,
- assisting with Department trainings and development of educational videos,
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developing spring newsletter.
Academic credit and $15.00 hourly rate offered.
Best suited for a detail-oriented person with great communication skills.
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The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is hiring!
We're looking for a Planning and Zoning Grants Manager, so if you've got experience with administrative contract or grants administration and want to work in a great, collaborative environment, this might be for you! Apply by December 9th.
Other paid internship opportunities in our department:
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The City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability is hiring for 5 positions to help advance the City’s progress in climate, energy and environmental justice. Deadline to apply is December 9th.
Learn more and apply:
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PACDC is hiring a Member Services Associate . Learn more and apply here.
Norris Square Neighborhood Project is looking for a Co-Urban Garden Manager to assist in upkeep of NSNP’s garden spaces and implementation of activities and projects. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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Citizen Planners are on the Move! |
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We connected with DeBorah Giles (Spring 2012) and learned about a public space project she’s deeply engaged in. Read the full update here.
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Deneene Brockington (Fall 2020) is the new chair of the Penn Knox Neighborhood Association (PKNA), a registered community organization.
Michael Manfroni (Fall 2021) Completed new murals with Mural Arts and installed new lighting in the underpasses of the Lehigh Viaduct.
Since CPI, Adam Baily (Spring 2021) has moved to NY to pursue a MUP at Hunter College. He’s currently employed by two BIDs in NYC: Columbus Ave in the Upper West Side, and DUMBO, in Brooklyn. They work on activating public space, information gathering about stakeholders, and engaging businesses to serve a variety of constituents.
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Frances Conwell (Fall 2021) has been leveraging art to build community spaces. Learn more about her work here. 
Leah Silverstein (Spring 2019) became chair of Advocacy Committee for the Preservation Alliance last year! She also volunteers on the Honoring History Committee of the Broad, Germantown, and Erie Task Force and is particularly excited to be They are working with Nicetown/Tioga communities to help them preserve and celebrate places and stories that are important to them.
Erme Maula (Fall 2021) became the Advocacy Chair of the City-Wide Friends of the Free Library!
Siani Colon (Fall 2021) recently became certified as a Tree Tender and will be working with Esperanza's Tree Tenders group in her area!
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Consider making a tax-deductible contribution! Click "support this project" on the CPI page on the Mayor's Fund for Philadelphia website.

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