Support the 2025 City Planning Institute

APA New Jersey, in partnership with the Center for Community Planning, is proud to launch its annual fundraiser in support of the 2025 Summer City Planning Institute (CPI)—a transformative experience that introduces middle and high school students to the field of urban planning as a powerful tool for change. Since its founding in 2017, the CPI has opened doors for over 1500 students from New Jersey’s urban communities, providing them with the opportunity to explore city planning as both a potential career path and a means to equip them with the knowledge and tools to shape inclusive, vibrant communities. Download the 2024 CPI Impact Report.

Each summer, students participate in an intensive, immersive program that includes:

• College-level instruction using a copyrighted curriculum designed by the Center for Community Planning, led by a certified NJ educator.
• Training and mentorship from professional planners, elected officials, and community leaders.
• Hands-on learning through field trips, neighborhood walks, technology-based mapping tools, and real-world data analysis.
• A final public showcase where students present bold, innovative planning proposals to municipal leaders and stakeholders.

There is no cost to the students, who also receive a stipend to ensure accessibility for all.

In Summer 2025, CPI will be held in Newark, Paterson, Passaic, and Bloomfield, where students will tackle real planning issues identified by local officials:

• Newark: Create an evaluation tool to measure the impact of youth-serving organizations.
• Bloomfield: Develop a downtown marketing and tourism strategy to attract and retain visitors.
• Passaic: Analyze the effectiveness of the city’s new shuttle system and recommend improvements.
• Paterson: Design a branding and marketing plan that celebrates the city’s ethnically diverse neighborhoods.

Funds raised will support program materials, stipends, transportation, field trips, and technology. Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us expand access to this critical program and invest in a more inclusive future for New Jersey’s communities.

Join us in empowering the planners of tomorrow. Give generously today.