Inspire the Future, UrbanPlan UK

At Hollis, we’re dedicated to educating young people, promoting diversity, and ensuring the long-term success of the real estate industry. That’s why we’re proud to have partnered with UrbanPlan UK since 2016—a transformative programme that opens the door to exciting career opportunities for students while fostering social value and industry innovation.

What is UrbanPlan UK?

UrbanPlan is an engaging educational initiative from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) that has already made waves in the U.S, where it has reached over 27,000 students and involved more than 1,500 ULI members. Since its launch in the UK, UrbanPlan has delivered over 150 interactive workshops in schools, inspiring more than 3,500 students to explore the urban environment through real-life challenges and teamwork.

This groundbreaking programme is free for schools and has been so successful that plans are underway to expand it across Europe.

Passionate Hollis volunteers bring the workshops to life

Volunteering with UrbanPlan is more than just giving back—it’s about shaping the future of our industry while growing personally and professionally. Here’s how we’re making an impact:

Inspire Early Careers: We reach students before they’ve decided on their futures. Showcase the breadth of opportunities in real estate and spark their interest in a career they may never have considered. In fact, 64% of students who participated in the programme had never thought about a career in real estate before the workshop, but 72% said they would consider it afterward!
Promote Diversity and Social Mobility: UrbanPlan connects with students from diverse social and economic backgrounds, helping to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. This is a chance to introduce young people to a field they may not have encountered otherwise, supporting a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry.
Build Skills and Give Back: It’s a unique opportunity to develop presentation and mentoring skills while making a difference. Many volunteers say they wish they had experienced something like this when they were younger.
Strengthen Industry Connections: UrbanPlan not only inspires students but also creates pathways for Hollis’ work experience and apprenticeship programmes. By engaging with schools, you’re helping to create a pipeline of fresh talent for the industry.

The Results Speak for Themselves

When we last ran an UrbanPlan workshop, 64% of students rated it “excellent,” with the remaining 36% calling it “good.” The programme has a proven track record of opening minds and changing perceptions.

Here’s what our inspiring volunteers had to say about their experiences:

“Engaging with the next generation through the Urban Plan workshop was truly inspiring. Their fresh perspectives, creative ideas, and ability to balance themes like community, affordability, and sustainability were impressive. I was moved by their vision for inclusive, diverse communities and their thoughtful solutions to challenges like homelessness. Their confidence, care for others, and environmental awareness make me excited to support this initiative every year – can’t wait for next year.”

Deepika Singhal, Head of Building Physics

“UrbanPlan is a great initiative that offers students an insight into the real estate industry. I have attended a few UrbanPlan workshops now, and each one has been very well organised, and the delivery team do a fantastic job at keeping the students engaged. I don’t recall there being anything like this when I was at school, which is why I find it important to help out as much as I can.”

Michael North Ridge, Building Surveyor

“I was initially looking forward to engaging with students in a fun and creative way, and the experience exceeded my expectations. Seeing the groups work methodically, ensuring every member had a role, was a real highlight—it was inspiring to witness such thorough teamwork. I found myself wishing I had access to an initiative like this when I was younger. It also highlighted the importance of going further to help students develop a deeper understanding and interest in the wider industry. It was incredibly rewarding to see how engaged and enthusiastic the students were when given an active role in their learning. I’d be delighted to return and run these sessions again in the future.”