Baltimore Planning Academy

Baltimore Planning Academy

Our Vision

The Baltimore Planning Academy aims to build community leadership around urban planning, zoning, and development issues through a Baltimore lens.

Goals for the Planning Academy

  • Build community across neighborhoods in Baltimore City through engagement around urban planning.
  • Connect advocates and leaders to City resources, tools, and information around zoning and development.
  • Empower residents to shape the future of their neighborhoods and of Baltimore.

Each year, we host two Planning Academy workshop series for Baltimore City residents in the fall and spring. Each of these cohorts meets in-person and online for six weeks to learn about planning and development within the City. 

Applications are currently closed, but will open in Summer of 2026. A FAQ is available at this link. For more information, reach out to Journee Harris.

Curriculum

Each cohort covers the basic principles of zoning; the development review process; and urban planning. Our instructors are a mix of Planning professionals from the Department of Planning and external guest speakers. During each six-week session, we strive to offer at least one off-site tour of a development project or site in the City of Baltimore.

After completing the Planning Academy, our team wants participants to walk away with knowledge including:

  • An understanding of zoning principles (eg: "By-Right" development, conditional uses, variances) and how to navigate the zoning code
  • How to assess if a neighborhood plan is the right next step for their community
  • How to effectively participate in a BMZA or Planning Commission hearing, and the differences in function between these two bodies

View the sample curriculum from Fall 2020 to gain insight into what you can expect as a participant!

Presentations from Prior Years: