plan'ning noun

The activity or profession of determining the future physical arrangement or condition of a community. Planning, also called urban planning or city and regional planning, is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places for present and future generations. Planning helps communities envision their future and find the right balance of new development, essential services, environmental protection, and innovative change.

Think planning is a career in which you might be interested? Then FLiP is for you!

Future Leaders in Planning - summer student leadership development program - a whirlind introduction to planning for the future.

Thank you to our partners - Hillsborough County Public Schools' Christopher Farkas, Lorraine Duffy Suarez, and Amber Wheeler - ULI Tampa Bay - Sun Coast Section - APA Florida! And all of our contributors - Tampa's Downtown; Bike/Walk Tampa Bay; Karen Kress; Shaun Drinkard; Karla Price with the City of Tampa Government Parks & Recreation Department; The Beck Group's Joanna Wickner and Joe Harrington; Tampa International Airport's Melissa Solberg and Danny Valentine; ULI Tampa Bay's Siobhan O'Kane, Jenna Wylie, Taylor Ralph, and Hannah McAleer; Hillsborough Area Regional Transit; Sandra Morrison; University of South Florida's Assistant Director of Facilities Management, Barbara Donerly and Chaddy Hanwisai; Center for Urban Transportation Research's Julie Bond and Kristine Williams; USF MURP's Van Linkous, Elizabeth Strom, and Mark Hafen; FDOT West Central - Tampa Area's Stephen Benson; Jacobs' Jennifer Straw, Brandie Miklus, and Katie Yellen Habgood; Ybor City Development Corporation's Brenda Williams Thrower and Ybor Ambassador extraordinaire Dr. Wallace Reyes; Port Tampa Bay's Lynn Reece and John Thorington, VP Government Affairs & Board Coordination! Thank you to The Beck Group and Jacobs Engineering for yummy lunches! Thanks for giving us a lift, literally - Hillsborough Area Regional Transit on MetroRapid, The TECO Line Streetcar System, and Hillsborough County Public Schools for providing transportation. Finally, a huge thank you to our amazing students! Our future is in great hands... Please tag yourselves! #FLiP2016

View the photos.

FLiP 2016 

Hillsborough County School District students currently in good standing in grades 9, 10, or 11 who would like to learn more about the planning profession are eligible to apply. Through a series of speakers and tours on foot, bus, and streetcar, the FLiP program will provide:

• The chance to network with planning professionals and other students with a passion for planning for a thriving future for our community
• The opportunity to learn from public and private sector professionals in the planning and related government services fields
• Broad exposure to planning from multiple perspectives, including: comprehensive planning, economic development, environmental, historic preservation, community redevelopment, transportation, geographic information systems, education and research, and more

For more information, please contact Lynn at 813.273.3774 x342 or Tony at 813.273.3774 x350.

There is no charge to participate in FLiP 2016. Applications are still open for a limited number of students. Now accepting applications from private as well as public schools!

Tentative Agenda

Tuesday, June 21 includes: Check in with snacks and students receive FLiP T-shirts courtesy of ULI Tampa Bay; Introductions; Meet Melissa Zornitta, AICP - Executive Director of the Planning Commission and President of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association; Walk Wise Tampa Bay safety presentation; Economic development along the RiverWalk walking tour; WaterWorks Park tour; Consultant perspective on historical preservation and redevelopment and Lunch at The Beck Group; Tampa International Airport behind the scenes and Master Plan tour; and Building Healthy Communities activity and presentatin by ULI Tampa Bay.

Wednesday, June 22 includes: MetroRapid ride to USF, learning about HART initiatives and community development along the route; USF Campus walking tour including master plan features; Learn about the Center for Urban Transportation Research and the Masters program in Urban and Regional Planning at USF, plus meet Planning Commissioner Stephen Benson; Lunch and learn about private consulting at Jacobs Engineering; Take a ride on the TECOline Streetcar for a walking tour of Ybor City featuring historic preservation and redevelopment presented by the YCDC, plus tour an historic cigar factory; the check out Port Tampa Bay's Master Plan and historic Vision Plan; finishing the program with #FLiPouting exercise/presentations.

FLiP 2016 Student Application:                                         Recommend a Student:

For more information on the Planning Commission, visit:

planhillsborough.org