About the LBCDC

who we are

We facilitate high-quality, pro-bono urban planning and design services to support low-income and underserved communities, nonprofit organizations, and municipal agencies through a community-engaged design process, focusing on equity-oriented initiatives.
We cultivate the future of urban planning & design through youth engagement and educational programs, formalized internships, and networking opportunities.

we
design

We connect our clients with skilled urban planning, architecture, and engineering volunteers.
We manage equity-oriented projects and initiatives, from securing support and raising funds through implementation.
We facilitate conceptual design services through core grants to help clients prepare for project development, initiatives to support innovation and cultivate new partnerships, and technical assistance for specific aspects of the design and development process.

we
educate

Our clients through our collaborative, community-engaged design process that promotes critical thinking and decision making.
Local youth through our engagement workshops that spark interest in urban planning and design.
Our community through our lecture series that promotes open discussion on timely topics in urban planning, design, and community development.

we
empower

Organizations to drive physical improvements, raise and leverage funding, and guide projects to implementation through our pro-bono design services.
Youth to pursue careers in urban planning and design through our comprehensive academic pipeline program. 
Communities to engage with design professionals and diverse stakeholders to solve significant problems and support equitable and just development.

OUR DESIGN SERVICES

We make conceptual urban planning and design services accessible.
Access to conceptual design is critical to the successful outcome of development projects envisioned by community and nonprofit organizations.
Conceptual design services
  • Increase the likelihood that your projects will be successfully completed.
  • Establishes a shared project vision and promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and decision making.
  • Allows exploration of options before intensive design, providing a more defined project vision, scope, and budget.
  • Enable organizations and communities to drive physical improvements, raise and leverage funding, guide projects to implementation, and lay the groundwork for equitable and just development.

core grants

Prepare clients to advance project development
by providing tools and resources such as:
Conceptual drawings to share your vision.
Feasibility studies to demonstrate that the project is achievable.
Preliminary cost estimates to guide fundraising.
Organizational and community engagement to build capacity and consensus.
When you receive a design grant…
  • We work with you to determine the best approach and scope of services to meet your needs.
  • We connect you with volunteer design professionals and consultants, including architects, urban planners, landscape architects, engineers, interior designers, and sustainability consultants.
  • We help you engage with your community and stakeholders throughout the conceptual design process.
  • Core grant recipients pay a suggested donation based on project scope, financial circumstances, and ability to pay.

initiatives

Support innovation, cultivate new partnerships, and reactivate the built environment of communities by providing:
Access to significant intellectual capital through the volunteer services of design professionals.
Opportunities to convene and engage diverse stakeholders – design professionals, community leaders, real estate developers, policymakers, public officials, funders, and the media.
Opportunities to communicate the capacity of the design process to solve community problems, re-envision physical assets, and support equitable development.
Tools to advocate and promote change (in our community?).
  • Each initiative offers a unique, integrated package of design services, with topics, programming, timeline, and budget determined through consultations with prospective initiative partners.
  • Initiative partners pay a suggested donation based on project scope, financial circumstances, and ability to pay.

technical assistance

We provide consultation services to assist you with…
Specific aspects of the design and development process.
The delivery of pro bono design services.
Technical assistance can include
  • Advisory services
  • Brief assessments
  • Presentations
  • Referral services
  • A suggested donation associated with technical assistance services will vary based on project scope, financial circumstances, and ability to pay.

OUR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

The Urban Planning & Design Academic and Career Pipeline provides a groundbreaking pathway to a career in urban planning and design, beginning with early exposure to urban planning and design.
 
Through our Young Community Planners of Long Beach (link) program in local teen centers and Long Beach Unified’s Pathways (link) program in high school classrooms, students are exposed to urban planning and design and encouraged to attend Long Beach City College to pursue an Urban Planning AS Degree or a local university offering related studies.
 
Our Urban Planning & Design Internship Program supplements higher education with a cross-sector experience, connecting students with industry professionals through curated activities, events, and projects. Interns build professional networks before entering the workforce, giving them a competitive edge as they prepare for a successful career.


Young Community Planners
Created by Hunnibuzz.. Copyright lbcdc
Terms & Conditions