Tom Schulze
Community Planning Assistance Program
Tom Schulze, AICP, PP, is a retired planner with over 40 years of experience in New York and New Jersey. A 1980 graduate of Hunter College’s Urban Planning program, he built a distinguished career working for New York City’s Department of Urban Planning, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, NJ Transit, the NY Metropolitan Transportation Council, and several private consulting firms.
Throughout his career, Tom played a key role in major transportation and infrastructure projects, including the Hudson River Waterfront Light Rail Project and the Access to the Region’s Core Hudson River Tunnel Project in New York City. His expertise in regional transportation planning helped shape critical transit initiatives that improved mobility across the region.
Since retiring five years ago, Tom has remained deeply engaged in volunteer planning efforts across New Jersey. He has led the American Planning Association – New Jersey (APA-NJ) Chapter’s Community Planning Assistance Program, providing pro bono planning support to local communities. Additionally, he manages the City Planning Institute, an initiative offering free urban planning education to public high school students in Newark, Paterson, Trenton, Passaic, and Bloomfield.
Tom lives in Montclair, NJ, with his wife and enjoys spending time with his two daughters and four grandchildren. His dedication to mentoring future planners and advancing community-driven projects continues to make a lasting impact on urban development in New Jersey.