The mission of the Department of City Planning is to enable high quality, sustainable and equitable growth and development of Atlanta by facilitating more options for travel, abundant housing for all people, thriving neighborhoods, exceptional design in architecture and public spaces, preservation of historic resources, innovative regulatory practices, safe and durable buildings, attentive customer service and public engagement in all of our work.
INMAN PARK
The City of Atlanta is divided into 25 Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), which are resident advisory councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on zoning, land use, and other planningrelated matters.
The NPU system was established in 1974 by the late Mayor Maynard Jackson to provide an opportunity for all residents to actively participate in the Comprehensive Development Plan, which is the City’s vision for the next five, ten, and fifteen years. Since then, the NPU system has evolved into what it is today – the official avenue for residents to receive updates concerning all functions of City government. Enabling residents to express concerns and provide input helps the City in developing plans that best meet the needs of each neighborhood.
NPU University was established in 2019 to promote equitable access to the tools and resources residents and community leaders need to plan and develop healthy communities. NPU University is an educational initiative that advances the Department of City Planning’s mission to facilitate thriving neighborhoods and public engagement in all our work. By educating, empowering, and equipping Atlantans to serve as effective community leaders, NPU-U ensures that residents in all four quadrants have access to the same tools and resources needed to effect change in their neighborhoods. Since the program launch, NPU-U has produced 38 classes providing nearly 4700 residents and stakeholders with the training they need to make valuable contributions at civic decision-making tables and produce more equitable strategies for their neighborhoods. Ninety-five percent of students who complete our surveys gave positive reviews and reported that they’ve benefited greatly from the training received at NPU-U.
Through hands-on training and instruction from subject matter experts, thought leaders, and City of Atlanta staff and partners, classes are designed to explore solutions to challenges neighborhoods face.
Whether you are taking a course or two or enrolling in our CPC program, our team is here to help you learn and succeed. NPU-U courses are designed to provide community leaders with the tools needed to enhance their leadership capacity as citizen leaders and strengthen their ability to participate in simple and complex problem-solving by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Students who participate in virtual courses must have a smartphone, iPad, or another tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. A Wi-Fi connection is strongly encouraged, but not required. If you are not using Wi-Fi, please check with your wireless or internet service provider to ensure you are aware of any additional data charges.
Registration for most courses opens 30 days before the course schedule date. While most courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, some of our courses are most effective when participants represent varied perspectives. These classes may not register applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, and may require a separate application to ensure the cohort is diverse. Students wishing to enroll in NPU University courses may register at npuatlanta.org. Each course requires separate registration.
If you need to withdraw from any course, please do so no later than three business days before the scheduled date. This gives us time to admit a student from the waiting list or make other adjustments, as needed. If you do not withdraw before the deadline and do not attend class, you may be unable to register for classes for 60 days. After the second occurrence, you may be unable to register for classes for the remainder of 2023.
All students will receive a link and ID to log in on the day of the course. We recommend logging on 15 minutes before class, to avoid interruptions once the class has begun.
Maximum class size is determined by the course type, course setting, and instructor preference. Many courses reach maximum registration capacity within the first week of registration, at which time a waitlist is opened. Waitlisted students are registered as spaces become available.
The Department of City Planning conducts ongoing reviews of the content, instructor performance, and overall quality of NPU University courses. After each course, students receive a brief survey soliciting their feedback, which is used to improve our courses. We invite participants to complete the survey and let us know how we’re doing.
To ensure classes run smoothly and everyone is able to participate and learn, we ask all students to observe the following “classroom rules.” Violation of these rules may result in limiting or restricting participation.
1. Please keep your microphone muted.
2. Please keep your cameras on to receive course credit.
3. To ask a question during Q&A, raise your hand to be placed in the queue.
4. All questions must be relevant to the course content.
ATLANTA IS A CITY OF GREAT
Every Atlanta neighborhood is represented by a neighborhood planning unit. Search for your neighborhood within the tables to find your NPU.
“A City of safe, healthy, connected neighborhoods with an expansive culture of equity, empowering upward mobility, and full participatiom for all residents.”
- HONORABLE MAYOR ANDRE DICKENS
The Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) program was developed in 2022 for the most engaged residents and community leaders who are highly motivated to use every tool and resource available to them to facilitate positive neighborhood change. Interested community members at all levels of experience may apply for the CPC.
This program is particularly valuable for:
• Members of neighborhood groups, associations, or Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs)
• Staff and boards of community development organizations/committees
• Officers and residents representing neighborhood or community organizations
The CPC offers training to citizen volunteers who are interested in gaining the tools and skills necessary to design and plan their neighborhoods.
Required courses will ensure students learn basic concepts of public land use, zoning, and development and best practices for sustainable community planning.
Students who earn the Citizen Planners Certificate are required to complete classes in four different tracks within two years. Attaining this certificate demonstrates a working knowledge of the basic concepts and skills necessary to guide public participation in the growth and development of Atlanta’s neighborhoods.
Objective
Participants will hone the skills to develop and implement strategies that will:
• Increase the capacity of residents and other stakeholders to manage neighborhood change
• Increase residents’ confidence and participation in initiatives to shape their neighborhoods’ future
• Promote understanding of housing affordability principles
• Strengthen relationships with the business community
• Support the development of healthy, mixed-income neighborhoods
• Cultivate collaborations that promote and sustain revitalization
How to Apply?
Apply to NPU University via www.npuatlanta.org. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023. If you have any questions, email the NPU-U registrar at NPU-U@atlantaga.gov.
Requirements
• Community Leadership – any 3 classes, or any 1 class and the Community Leadership Institute
• Planning – P1004.001 and any 3 classes
• Civic Participation – CP1001 or CP1002, CP1008 and any 1 class
• Community Development – CD1004.001 and any 2 classes
Who can enroll
NPU University courses are free to Atlanta residents, business owners, and City of Atlanta employees, with no limit to the number of courses students can take. Students may register to attend as many or as few courses as they wish.
While most courses are open to the public, courses marked with an asterisk are cohort courses and are carefully curated to ensure diversity of perspective. Cohort courses may not allow registration on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority is given to students enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate program.
-STUDENT
THE TRAINERS WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENCOURAGED GROUP PARTICIPATION. THEY PROVIDED GREAT EXAMPLES TO HELP US CONTEXTUALIZE THE INFORMATION.
IN ZONING FUNDAMENTALS I
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) Program must complete any three (3) of the following courses or one (1) of the following courses and CL1004.001.
This course is required for all elected Chairs and optional for all elected Vice Chairs. The course is designed to train and refresh new and returning NPU Chairs on effective leadership of a neighborhood planning unit, including responsibilities under the Code of Ordinances, meeting facilitation, verbal and written communication, diversity, community engagement, and voting procedures. The course will provide Chairs with updated information on new processes and procedural matters such as agenda drafting, ethics, communications, and reporting. The course concludes with a collaborative discussion between Chairs on best practices.
Offered: December 3
This course is required for all elected secretaries and optional for all other elected officers. The course will provide an overview of the relationship between the City of Atlanta and the individual NPU. Participants will review the documentation required to formalize the NPU’s official recommendation to the City of Atlanta. New and returning officers will receive tips for accurate record keeping and accounting, as well as an introduction to ethics, open records, and open meetings.
Offered: January 12
Parliamentary procedure is the code of rules and ethics for neighborhood organizations, city councils, and other deliberative bodies to transact business fairly, efficiently, orderly, and expeditiously. Conducted by a registered parliamentarian, the first half of this course is designed for community leaders new to using parliamentary procedure, or who would benefit from a refresher on the fundamental concepts of effective and fair meeting procedure. The basic tenets of Robert’s Rules of Order are taught to arm presiding officials with the tools necessary to run successful and productive gatherings. The second half of this course is designed to instruct residents on the rights, privileges, and obligations they have as members of an NPU or neighborhood organization. Community members can participate in decision-making for their organizations and learn how to use parliamentary procedures to participate in the civic process.
Offered: March 1
This class is designed for NPU chairs or presiding officers who want a better understanding of these best practices for running effective meetings to improve meeting productivity and effectiveness. Packed with tools to equip leaders to get through their agendas timely, ways to implement strategy from Robert’s Rules of Order to develop more effective committees, or tools for managing spirited debate and discussion during meetings. Participants will be armed with the tools necessary to run efficient, fair, and timely meetings.
Offered: August 31
This six-week certificate course series is a collaboration between the City of Atlanta and an accredited university system, designed for Atlanta residents who want to strengthen their leadership and problem-solving skills as board members, community/neighborhood leaders, or civic leaders. The course covers such topics as conflict management, ethics, public speaking, citizen engagement, consensus-building, and problem-solving.
Offered: April 5 – June 7
September 12 – October 20
The first half of this course, designed specifically for NPU leaders and NPU Bylaws Committee members, will give students an overview of what the Code of Ordinances requires for NPU bylaws, how to prepare bylaws that reflect the character of the NPU, and how to ensure integrity, transparency, and community engagement in the amendment and voting process. The second half of the course will allow participants to review and discuss proposed amendments to their bylaws.
Offered: June 8
Elections processes vary widely across neighborhood planning units and other neighborhood organizations. An effective election process attracts strong leaders, ensures integrity, and maintains the trust of the community. This course is designed to prepare participants for NPU elections by exploring best practices for conducting a fair, clean, and transparent election process for NPU leaders, election committee members, and lay members will learn how to conduct elections openly and objectively and will learn the necessary steps to avoid common mistakes and protect their NPUs against election challenges and voter disenfranchisement.
Offered: July 5
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) Program must complete P1004.001 and any three (3) of the following courses.
This beginner-level course is designed to make zoning terms and concepts easier for ordinary residents to understand. Upon completion of the course, attendees will understand what zoning is, what specific zoning types are, how to find the zoning for any property, and why zoning is important. The course will explain the City of Atlanta’s zoning review processes and the life cycle of a zoning application. Upon completion of the course, community leaders will be equipped with the information they need to explain zoningrelated voting items on their meeting agendas.
Offered: January 31
P1004.002
This course will examine how zoning shapes neighborhoods and is used as a tool to support orderly and strategic growth and development for corridors, neighborhoods, and cities. This course includes activities designed to allow students to apply zoning concepts to corridors and neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Prerequisite: P1004.001
Offered: April 11
P1004.003
This course is a cumulation of ideas and concepts from Zoning Fundamentals I and II. Students will examine actual zoning cases and analyze current trends in local land use and development regulation for City of Atlanta corridors and neighborhoods. This course includes the following cases from beginning to end as well as how to apply zoning concepts to corridors and neighborhoods in Atlanta.
Prerequisites: P1004.001 and P1004.002.
Offered: July 11
This course will teach residents the basics of submitting building applications, permits, and approvals successfully with the City of Atlanta, and how permitting can strengthen neighborhoods. Students can expect to learn about building permits, demolition permits, certificates of occupancy, and the overall building approval process, including relevant documentation and pitfalls to avoid.
Offered: March 30
This course covers basic concepts of GIS technology. GIS helps city and regional planners understand what, why, and where something is happening to assess past and existing conditions (change analysis), project future conditions, and model alternative scenarios to support informed decisions on initiatives, programs, and plans. In this course, GIS professionals demonstrate how Atlanta residents can use GIS to stay informed.
Offered: August 21
The comprehensive development plan is Atlanta’s guide for growth and development. Participants will be introduced to comprehensive development planning and learn about its relationships with Atlanta City Design and other citywide, neighborhood, and small area plans. This course includes activities to shape future comprehensive planning as the Department of City Planning prepares for the next update.
Offered: September 14
P1008
Neighborhood Planning Series
This series provides an opportunity for students to explore neighborhood planning concepts through lectures, panel discussions, and workshops. The course includes discussion on such topics as economic development, sustainability, housing innovation, design/architecture, historic preservation, community engagement, mobility, and transit. The series offers ongoing lectures from thought leaders around the City.
P1008.001
Atlanta City Design
“The Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Communities” is a guiding document for the City of Atlanta which articulates an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with.
Offered: August 8
P1009
Mobile Workshops
Mobile workshops give participants opportunities to learn outside of the classroom by exploring various planning projects, historic sites, landmarks, and neighborhood features.
P1009.001
A Walk in the Park
A half-day bus/walking tour highlighting the stories, features, and architecture of City of Atlanta parks.
Offered: October 26
P1009.002
Home Sweet Home
A half-day bus/walking tour through Atlanta’s neighborhoods to explore diverse housing types and how they can be used to meet Atlanta’s need for affordable housing and connected neighborhoods
Offered: May 24
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planner Certificate (CPC) Program must complete CP1001 or CP1002, CP 1008, and any one (1) of the following courses.
The Legislative Process
This course will equip students with an understanding of the legislative process in the City of Atlanta. Attendees will gain an in-depth knowledge of how legislation is written, debated, and voted upon, and how they can engage and participate in citywide decision-making.
Offered: June 29
NPU 101: How Does the NPU System Work?
The City of Atlanta is divided into twenty-five Neighborhood Planning Units or NPUs, which are citizen advisory councils that make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on zoning, land use, and other planning issues. This is an introductory course designed to teach residents and stakeholders how the NPU system works and how it benefits the community and the City.
Offered: October 4
Civic Participation for Seniors
Senior participation in civic processes is one of the pillars on which Atlanta’s communities were built. Civic engagement can allow seniors to maintain a healthy, active, and engaged life by building relationships, and reducing loneliness and social isolation. A panel of local and active senior community leaders will discuss civic topics of importance to seniors and share how seniors can remain politically savvy.
Offered: May 10
Millennials have come of age in a time of shifting landscapes and tumultuous change. Growing up in the Information Age, millennials are empowered by information and demand transparency and authenticity. Having already confronted several major crises—from terrorism to recession to COVID-19, their generation’s experiences have shaped their relationship with politics and their communities. A panel of local millennials will discuss how powerful a political force they can be.
Offered: September 27
This week-long academy for high school students explores the importance of getting young adults engaged in political, economic, and social conversations and empowers them to become agents of change in their local communities. The course will set in motion the formation of civic engagement habits to equip young people with the necessary skills for participation in community leadership, neighborhood empowerment, the legislative process, public engagement, and their responsibility to their community.
Offered: June 12 – 16
This course is designed specifically for community leaders and aspiring community leaders, with a shared interest in building successful engagement processes and reaching higher levels of community engagement. Higher levels of engagement mean that residents own and take leadership over civic change, rather than just observing or even providing feedback. Students will learn the six guiding principles of community engagement, how to train others, and what resources are available for rising community leaders.
Offered: July 29
Public Meetings
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) program are required to attend a minimum of two of the following public meetings or hearings.
Atlanta City Council
Atlanta City Council Committees
Atlanta Housing Board Meeting
Atlanta Public School Board
Board of Zoning Adjustments
Dekalb County
Fulton County Commission
Invest Atlanta Board Meeting
License Review Board
MARTA Board Meeting
Tree Conservation Commission
Urban Design Commission
Zoning Review Board
Permitting Process & Participation
This course is designed to coach residents, the business community, and applicants through the entire process of special events permits and alcohol licenses, from application to approval. Attendees will learn the criteria the City of Atlanta uses to grant permits and licenses, and how to engage applicants who present at NPU meetings.
Offered: July 13
Students enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) Program must complete CD1014 and any two (2) of the following courses.
This course provides participants an overview of WorkSource Atlanta and the programs available to employers and career seekers. Designed for individual job seekers and community leaders who are interested in creating and implementing strategies to increase employment in distressed neighborhoods, the course will explore high-demand occupations and industries, and discuss educational and career paths for budding professionals and tradespeople, and specific opportunities available to those seeking new or enhanced careers.
Offered: February 9
This five-session academy educates participants on how to fight blight in their communities by identifying, reporting, and tracking code violations, such as abandoned, blighted properties, illegal dumping, overgrown lots, and trash in the right-of-way. The course includes instruction from each city department that has a role in code enforcement, including Atlanta Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division and the Municipal Court.
Offered: June 10, 24, July 8, 22, and August 5
These courses cover the fundamentals of gentrification and displacement and introduce homeowners to the tools and resources available to help them protect their assets. Students will learn from real estate professionals, attorneys, and personal finance experts, and secure a path to legacy residency.
This course offers information on property tax exemptions that can help homeowners lower their property tax bills and information on how to appeal property tax assessments before the annual April deadline.
Offered: March 9
This course provides information and strategies for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. The course features budgeting tips from a HUD-certified housing counselor and information about the foreclosure process in Georgia, strategies to prevent foreclosure, and loan modifications.
Offered: July 31
CD1003.003
Housing Resources for Tenants
This course discusses emergency housing resources to help renters maintain stable, affordable housing.
Offered: September 9
CD1004.001
Introduction to Invest Atlanta
In this introductory course, participants will learn about programs offered by the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency. Instructors will provide an overview of the grants, loans, support, and other incentives available to homebuyers, small business owners, and developers, and will gain an understanding of tax allocation districts (TADs), opportunity zones, and urban enterprise zones. Students will learn how Invest Atlanta’s tools can be used to increase economic prosperity for all Atlantans, revitalize neighborhoods, and build vibrant, equitable communities.
Offered: February 23
When determining how to design and measure the impact of their housing initiatives, cities use area median income (AMI) as a key metric. AMI is a measure of the midpoint of a specific area’s income and is calculated annually by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since AMI is used to determine eligibility for housing programs, community leaders, and members must understand how it all works. In this course, students will learn what AMI is, how it is calculated, why it is important, and how housing affordability works.
Offered: October 12
In this course, students will learn how neighborhoods are revitalized, including the factors developers and retailers consider during site selection. This course will review the development aspects of building communities and spurring economic growth, and the path followed by developers to complete revitalization projects.
Offered: May 11
Understanding Public Financing
This course provides an overview of public finance tools such as tax allocation districts (TADs), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and bonds, used to revitalize neighborhoods and to create and sustain affordable housing. Students will explore the Invest Atlanta toolbox of funding programs and products that help developers build single-family and multi-family communities.
Offered: April 13
Urban Plan Academy for Community Leaders – 6 hours
Urban Plan Academy for Community Leaders is a one-day course designed for community leaders to better understand the trade-offs and risks at play in the entitlement and negotiation process associated with land use, especially in public/private partnerships. Students will participate in an Urban Plan case study: a city-led redevelopment effort where compromise needs to be met between the locality, the development team selected in the RFP, and the community.
Offered: May 13
*Courses CL1004.001, CD1002, and CD 1005 are most effective when participants represent varied perspectives. These classes may not register applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, and may require a separate application and interview to ensure the cohort is diverse.
How can I find out exactly when a class will be held?
We open registration for courses and announce the date, time, and location approximately 30 days before the course. For the most up-to-date information on course schedules and other important dates, or to sign up for electronic updates about a specific course, visit our website at npuatlanta.org/npuuniversity or call 404.330.6070.
How do I register for classes?
You can register online, by phone, or by mail. To register online, visit npuatlanta. org/npu-university. To register by phone, call the Registrar at 404.330.6070. To register by mail, complete the interest form in this Course Catalog and mail it to NPU University, Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Do I have to be an active NPU member to enroll in NPU-U?
No. Whether you’ve never attended an NPU meeting or missed an NPU meeting, you can enroll in NPU-U.
Do I have to be an Atlanta resident to enroll in NPU-U?
If you live, own property, operate a business in Atlanta or are an employee of the City of Atlanta, you are eligible to enroll in NPU-U.
What are the costs and fees?
There are no costs or fees associated with NPU-U. All classes are free.
Is there a limit to how many courses I can register for?
We encourage you to take as many classes as you’d like. Since space is limited for most classes, we ask that you only register for those classes you can commit to and are certain you will attend.
I registered before the deadline but got a message saying the class is full. What now? Most of our classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who register after the course capacity is reached will be added to a waitlist and registered as space becomes available.
I registered for a class, but I can’t attend. Can I transfer my registration to a neighbor or relative?
If you are unable to attend a class you registered for, please let us know as soon as possible. Registration is not transferable. Students who drop two classes may be unable to register for additional courses in the same calendar year.
I would like to offer one of these classes in my community, just for the people in my neighborhood/NPU. Do you offer classes for private registration?
We aren’t able to offer courses for private registration for the 2023 calendar year, but we hope to be able to in the future. If you’d like to register a group of up to 10 people, please give us a call at 404-330-6070. We will do our best to accommodate.
The class I want to take is only offered during the week and I work. Will these classes ever be offered on Saturdays?
Our class schedules are based on instructors’ schedules, venue availability (if applicable), and other factors. We do offer evening and weekend classes to make community leadership education accessible for all schedules and hope to be able to expand the schedule in the future.
Do I have to apply for the Citizen Planners
Certification to take NPU - U courses? No. The Citizen Planners Certification is a very specific path and is not required to participate in NPU University. I’ve taken most of these courses already.
Do I have to take them again for the certification? No. If you have enrolled and completed courses that count towards the Citizen Planners Certificate (CPC) within the last two years, it can count towards your certification.
If you are interested in registering for any of our courses, but cannot register online, please complete this form and mail it to the address listed below. The Registrar will contact you with more information. If you are enrolled in the Citizen Planners Certificate program, you may also use this form to track completion of your required courses.
Name Address Phone Email
CL1001 Chairpersons’ Orientation
CL1002 Elected Officers Orientation
CL1003.001 Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures
CL1003.002 Parliamentary Procedures II: Managing Difficult Discussions
CL1004.001 Community Leadership Institute (Spring & Fall Cohort)
CL1005 Bylaws Clinic
CL1006 Election Integrity Clinic
NPU
P1004.001 Zoning Fundamentals I
P1004.002 Zoning Fundamentals II
P1004.003 Zoning Fundamentals Lab
P1005 Building Permits for Beginners
P1006 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
P1007 Introduction to Comprehensive Development Planning
P1008 Neighborhood Planning Series
P1009 Mobile Workshops
CP1001 The Legislative Process
CP1002 NPU 101: How Does the NPU System Work?
CP1003 Civic Participation for Seniors
CP1004 Civic Participation for Millennials
CP1005 Civic Responsibility and Engagement for Young Adults
CP1006 Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook
CP1008 Public Meetings
CP1009 Permitting Process & Participation
CD1001 Jobs and Careers for Your Community
CD1002 Code Enforcement Academy
CD1003.001 Avoiding Housing Scams & Reducing Property Taxes
CD1003.002 Preventing Foreclosure
CD1003.003 Housing Resources for Tenants
CD1004.001 Introduction to Invest Atlanta
CD1004.002 Understanding Workforce Housing and Affordability
CD1004.003 Density Matters/Neighborhood Revitalization
CD1004.004 Understanding Public Financing (TADs, Bonds, NMTCs, LIHTC, etc.)
CD1005 Urban Plan Academy for Community Leaders
Send to the Registrar at: Mail: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 1450, Atlanta, GA 30303
Email: npu-u@atlantaga.gov
Text: 404-977-8143
Fax: 404-546-9498
Jahnee Prince Commissioner
Janide Sidifall
Deputy Commissioner
Leah LaRue Director
Samantha-Nicole Terry
Program Manager - Education & Training
Marquise “Tony” McNeal
Program Manager - Outreach & Engagement
Daniel Vasquez
Resources and Support Manager
Nicole Jenkins
Project Manager – Operations & Special Projects
Kip Dunlap
Resources & Support Coordinator
Neighborhood Planning Units
Department of City Planning
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 1450
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404.330.6070
npu-u@atlantaga.gov
