Ever wondered who decides where new homes, schools, roads, and shopping centers go, and how those decisions get made? PlanHoward Academy invites residents to step into the planning and zoning process and take an active role in shaping their community.

This free, five-week course, led by the Department of Planning and Zoning, gives you a hands-on look at how land-use decisions shape your neighborhood—and how you can help shape them too.

At its core, PlanHoward Academy is about building stronger community voices. Residents learn side-by-side through group activities, hands-on plan reviews, and role-playing exercises that mirror real planning decisions. The program shows how informed residents can help shape outcomes that balance growth with community needs.

Since its launch in 2017, more than 300 residents have graduated from PlanHoward Academy. Alumni include elected officials, HOA leaders, community advocates, civic board members, and even future Planning Board members. Graduates consistently say the program empowers them to ask smarter questions, understand tradeoffs, and contribute constructively to conversations about growth and development.

The impact reaches beyond the County. In 2019, the National Association of Counties recognized PlanHoward Academy with its Civic Education and Public Information Award, highlighting the program as a national model for transparent, community-focused government education.

Why does PlanHoward Academy matter? Because planning decisions affect nearly every part of daily life — from housing choices and traffic patterns to school locations and green space preservation. When residents understand the process, they can make their voices heard in ways that lead to smarter, more balanced growth.