Photo of Yvonne Hughes wearing a black shirt and sunglasses. She has her mask pulled down and is smiling. She is outside.

Citizen Planner, Spring 2022

We look at stuff in a box, but I’m outside the box.

See Yvonne in action
Miguel Garces_headshot (1)

Citizen Planner, Fall 2014

I'm aligning neighborhood values.

See Miguel in action
cass 2021 headshot

Citizen Planner, Spring 2011

I’m building capacity through collaboration.

See Cass in action

Citizen Planner, Spring 2021

I want to start this dialogue among communities across the city.

See Ulicia in action

Citizen Planner, Spring 2014

I'm saving materials from vacant buildings and creating jobs.

See Greg in action
Headshot of Drew Miller

Citizen Planner, Spring 2021

Most people want their neighborhood to improve over time. They just don't want to be harmed in the process.

See Drew in action
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A Guide to Community Planning Academies

CPI Director Donna J. Carney wrote a a step-by-step guide for creating, managing, and growing a community planning academies like CPI.

Get the report from the American Planning Association

What is CPI?

Citizens Planning Institute (CPI) is the education and outreach arm of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

CPI introduces Philadelphians, who “love where they live”, to the activities of city planning, zoning and development so they can help shape and preserve their neighborhoods.

CPI’s main activity is an eight-week course, offered every spring and fall, to a new and diverse group of thirty residents who brings new-found skills and resources back to their neighborhood organizations.

A Better Philadelphia- Plan On It!

Learn more about CPI
Graphic reading "I shape this city" on a blue background with a yellow map of Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked

  • What is planning?

    City planning helps guide how to improve housing, neighborhoods, jobs, transportation, and public space. Plans make recommendations based on community input and on studies of existing properties, demographics, housing, and transit issues. They also identify how to turn the ideas in the plan into action.
  • Who is the CPI course for?

    Anyone who loves where they live! Whether you’ve been involved in your neighborhood for years, or if you’re a new neighbor—if you want to make a difference in your community, CPI is for you!
  • What will I take away from the experience?

    Not only will you learn from instructors who are leaders in the fields of planning, development, and community development, you will also be connected with the growing network of Citizen Planners across the City who are working on many of the same neighborhood challenges. The CPI course provides practical tools individuals can take back to their neighborhood organizations and communities so they can engage in planning issues on equal footing with other stakeholders.
  • When does the course take place?

    The course runs every Spring and Fall on Wednesday evenings.

    The Spring course is in April and May.

    The Fall course is in October and November.
  • How do I apply?

    Applications are available on this website.

    To learn when applications are available for future sessions, you can sign-up to receive our e-newsletter at the top of our website.

    If you or someone you know requires a print application, call ‪(215) 683-4658 or email cpi@phila.gov.