Residents of Sacramento interested in urban planning now have the opportunity to apply for a free 11-week course offered by the city. This free program is designed to educate and engage participants in the city's planning process.

The course is open to Sacramento residents, city business owners, and people who work with Community-Based Organizations that serve the city's population. To participate, applicants must be at least 16 years old and willing to commit to attending all eleven weeks of the program.

Throughout the course, participants will engage directly with city staff involved in various planning efforts. The course provides an in-depth understanding of topics such as housing, transportation planning, historic preservation, climate action planning, and more.

By the end of the program, participants will have a clearer understanding of the most pressing issues affecting Sacramento residents and how local planning efforts can be leveraged to create meaningful change.

The Planning Academy will run from March 3 to May 12, 2025, with classes scheduled for Monday evenings and two Saturday walking tours. The program will be offered in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual sessions to accommodate all participants. Applications will close on January 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

The City of Sacramento is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive cohort, encouraging applications from individuals in Environmental Justice communities and those traditionally underrepresented in planning processes. Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s connection to the city, level of community involvement, and interest in using the knowledge gained to benefit Sacramento neighborhoods and organizations.