UrbanPlan is an educational simulation that focuses on urban redevelopment. Students form "company teams" to respond to an Urban Redevelopment Authority Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of a specific urban area. It is a realistic, engaging and academically challenging classroom-based curriculum in which high school seniors learn the roles, issues, economics and tradeoffs involved in urban development. Their goal is to win the contract from the authorizing community. 

The students are responsible for preparing a business proposal with documentation and visual aids to support their decisions. UrbanPlan is a classic problem-based learning model in which students and teachers confront a dilemma in a particular discipline that, through investigation, research, and cooperative input, allows for more than one solution and teaches students the problem-solving skills required for a fulfilling career.

With the leadership of teacher Steve Bekemeyer, ULI Minnesota has conducted UrbanPlan at Roseville High School for the past several years.  In the Spring of 2009, a second session was launched at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School, under the guidance of teacher Amy Weisgram. 

Check out the UrbanPlan website:  www.urbanplan.org.  

 
Students in Mr. Bekemeyers class at Roseville High School. 
(Photo courtesy of John Shardlow.)

Steve Bekemeyer has been awarded the Minnesota City County Management Association 2006 Teacher Achievement Award for his work in fostering an interest in local government through UrbanPlan.  Mr. Bekemeyer taught two sessions of UrbanPlan to his A/P Government Class at Roseville High School during the 2005-06 school year.

Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA) is the professional organization of chief administrative officers serving Minnesota's cities and counties.  As a part of its mission, the Association wants to educate citizens about how to interact effectively
with their local governments. 

For the past several years, MCMA has extended an annual "Teacher's Achievement Award" to a secondary educator who has demonstrated creativity and commitment in teaching his or her students about local government and active citizenship.  The winner is selected by a committee of MCMA members from.  Public presentation of the award takes place at the annual meeting of the League of Minnesota Cities.