Plan for Success

Maclay Economics Students Complete UrbanPlan Project

Photo by Blair Bayliss / Maclay Andalusian

The Maclay School senior honors economics classes, taught by Stephanie Amidon, turned theory into practice this spring, producing redevelopment plans after weeks of research. UrbanPlan is a nationwide educational simulation that teaches students how to balance the competing priorities of real-world community development. 

Students were split into competing teams and assigned specific roles: marketing director, neighborhood liaison, site planner, environment and equity director and financial analyst. Then, each team was given the same imaginary district and broad creative latitude to design the most viable community. Each team worked to satisfy goals, some of which focused on affordable housing, using median family income, determining pricing and ensuring accessibility. The simulation also required that 10% of all housing units be designated as affordable. In addition to housing requirements, teams had to meet strict financial benchmarks. Each proposal needed to generate a $9.5 million return to the city, while also achieving a 13.5% rate of return for investors. If a project did not meet all three goals, it failed. 

Teams participated in two facilitated work sessions with volunteer industry professionals, who provided guidance and feedback as students refined their proposals. The project culminated in a final presentation day, where each group delivered a 30-minute pitch to a panel of urban planning professionals, defending their decisions and responding to questions. 

The winning team, Meridian Development, stood out for its detailed planning, strong financial strategy and community integration. Team members included Blair Bayliss and Justin Murphy as co-marketing directors, Hudson Miller as environment and equity director, Layla Pellegrino as neighborhood liaison, Wyatt Long as site planner and Lucy May as financial analyst. 

“My favorite part about UrbanPlan was how we got to experience what it's like to develop a community firsthand,” Long said.

Meridian Development incorporated real-world comparisons into its proposal to make the vision easier to grasp. The team also showed the value of green space by comparing it to Landis Green at Florida State University.

In addition to their presentation, the team created a 3D model of their district, giving judges a visual representation of how the space would function. The model helped illustrate building placement, walkability and the integration of residential, commercial and recreational areas.

May said she enjoyed her role as financial analyst and credited the team’s strong collaboration for their success. “I chose to be financial analyst because I am majoring in finance at Auburn University and wanted to learn more beforehand,” she said.

By the end of the project, students were not only able to explain economic concepts, but were also able to apply them to a practical setting. 

The UrbanPlan simulation continues to be a big project for the honors economics curriculum, offering opportunities for hands-on learning.