Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is there a need for the Chinatown Urban Institute?
The Chinatown Community Urban Institute is a professional development program geared to groom the next generation of architects, urban planners, and community organizers who are passionate about expanding grassroots channels of participation for low-income, ethnic communities that have historically had limited participation in the land use planning process. The program aims to attract young people who have roots and strong ties in their local communities to serve as effective advocates and leaders.
2. Why is this program housed within the Chinatown CDC?
Since 1978, Chinatown CDC has been involved in nearly every aspect of Chinatown neighborhood planning. We have a strong successful history of using land use planning strategies to preserve affordable housing, increase open space, and improve transportation. By organizing and empowering residents and tenants in citywide planning dialogue, we develop and advocate for concrete plans that address the diverse needs of Chinatown community by working in the areas of affordable housing, equitable transportation, open space, livable streets, and culturally-sensitive economic development. Key accomplishments over the past two decades include developing numerous Chinatown plans, including the Chinatown Community Plan, the Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan, the Chinatown Transportation Initiative, the Broadway Envisioning Study and Improvement Plan, and the Stockton Street Improvement Plan.
Chinatown CDC has long recognized the need to institutionalize our community planning work and nurture a culture of learning and teaching among our youth and grassroots leaders. The Chinatown Urban Institute is a way to continue our approach to building communities of inclusiveness and encourage home grown community participation.
We also see the need to diversify the field of urban planning by grooming young people to develop a critical perspective that approaches urban planning from a lens of social justice, equity, and sustainability for low-income communities of color. We believe that nurturing youth leadership through a solid foundation of community history and technical skills will encourage the next generation of leaders who are deeply committed to improving their local communities and creating an equitable, just city.
3. The program sounds great! How do I apply?
The period for receiving applications for the 2013 Urban Institute cohort are now closed. Please come back for 2014!
4. Who would be a great Urban Fellow?
Former applicants ranged between the ages of 18-25. Most Fellows are undergraduate students, but we also accept exceptional recent high school graduates and some graduate students. Ideally, we are looking for a good fit between the Urban Fellow and the program. Successful applicants can demonstrate a commitment to serving and improving Chinatown community in San Francisco, as well as the potential to benefit from gaining direct experience and skills in the field of community-based planning.
5. What does the Chinatown Urban Institute offer for professional development?
The field of planning and community development encompasses many disciplines. People trained in the field have gone on to become planners (with some specializing in transportation, land use, urban design, housing, etc.), housing developers, city administrators, project managers, budget and policy analysts, community organizers and advocates, social service providers, elected officials, executive directors, program officers in charitable foundations, land use attorneys in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Through the Chinatown Community Urban Institute, Fellows will gain transferable skills such as research and fieldwork, critical thinking and analysis, team-building and public speaking that are valuable in any area of employment.
We have seen successful outcomes from the Community Urban Institute program. As an example, two former UI graduates are now working in affordable housing development organizations. The knowledge they gained about low-income communities of color and their living situations is very applicable in their current jobs. They also continue to be involved in the Chinatown community on a volunteer basis through Chinatown CDC’s youth leadership alumni program (ACCESS) and grassroots transportation equity group called Chinatown Transportation Research Improvement Project (TRIP).
The Chinatown Community Urban Institute is a professional development program geared to groom the next generation of architects, urban planners, and community organizers who are passionate about expanding grassroots channels of participation for low-income, ethnic communities that have historically had limited participation in the land use planning process. The program aims to attract young people who have roots and strong ties in their local communities to serve as effective advocates and leaders.
2. Why is this program housed within the Chinatown CDC?
Since 1978, Chinatown CDC has been involved in nearly every aspect of Chinatown neighborhood planning. We have a strong successful history of using land use planning strategies to preserve affordable housing, increase open space, and improve transportation. By organizing and empowering residents and tenants in citywide planning dialogue, we develop and advocate for concrete plans that address the diverse needs of Chinatown community by working in the areas of affordable housing, equitable transportation, open space, livable streets, and culturally-sensitive economic development. Key accomplishments over the past two decades include developing numerous Chinatown plans, including the Chinatown Community Plan, the Chinatown Alleyway Master Plan, the Chinatown Transportation Initiative, the Broadway Envisioning Study and Improvement Plan, and the Stockton Street Improvement Plan.
Chinatown CDC has long recognized the need to institutionalize our community planning work and nurture a culture of learning and teaching among our youth and grassroots leaders. The Chinatown Urban Institute is a way to continue our approach to building communities of inclusiveness and encourage home grown community participation.
We also see the need to diversify the field of urban planning by grooming young people to develop a critical perspective that approaches urban planning from a lens of social justice, equity, and sustainability for low-income communities of color. We believe that nurturing youth leadership through a solid foundation of community history and technical skills will encourage the next generation of leaders who are deeply committed to improving their local communities and creating an equitable, just city.
3. The program sounds great! How do I apply?
The period for receiving applications for the 2013 Urban Institute cohort are now closed. Please come back for 2014!
4. Who would be a great Urban Fellow?
Former applicants ranged between the ages of 18-25. Most Fellows are undergraduate students, but we also accept exceptional recent high school graduates and some graduate students. Ideally, we are looking for a good fit between the Urban Fellow and the program. Successful applicants can demonstrate a commitment to serving and improving Chinatown community in San Francisco, as well as the potential to benefit from gaining direct experience and skills in the field of community-based planning.
5. What does the Chinatown Urban Institute offer for professional development?
The field of planning and community development encompasses many disciplines. People trained in the field have gone on to become planners (with some specializing in transportation, land use, urban design, housing, etc.), housing developers, city administrators, project managers, budget and policy analysts, community organizers and advocates, social service providers, elected officials, executive directors, program officers in charitable foundations, land use attorneys in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Through the Chinatown Community Urban Institute, Fellows will gain transferable skills such as research and fieldwork, critical thinking and analysis, team-building and public speaking that are valuable in any area of employment.
We have seen successful outcomes from the Community Urban Institute program. As an example, two former UI graduates are now working in affordable housing development organizations. The knowledge they gained about low-income communities of color and their living situations is very applicable in their current jobs. They also continue to be involved in the Chinatown community on a volunteer basis through Chinatown CDC’s youth leadership alumni program (ACCESS) and grassroots transportation equity group called Chinatown Transportation Research Improvement Project (TRIP).