Core Elements. The following are the core elements of the program.

Rigorous selection and matching process. The selection and matching process is intended to improve the networks and insights of candidates who are not ultimately selected for the program as well as those who are. It includes written applications; interviews with Center leadership to establish a strong group of finalists; real job interviews with host organizations; and matching that takes into account both candidate and host organization preferences.

Six weeks of intensive training at Penn. Undertaken prior to the Fellows’ taking up their placements, the six-week training includes topics such as large-scale real estate development process and finance; quality urban design and planning, and grounding it in strong market assessment; coordinating physical redevelopment with efforts to improve non-physical issues in urban neighborhoods; roles and perspectives of different types of redevelopment partners; issues of race, gender and class; and training for leadership and visioning. Local community development corporations, Penn and other students, and other professionals also take advantage of various sessions throughout the training.

Quarterly, 1-week trainings at various locations. After the Fellows take up their placements, quarterly trainings provide structured opportunities for the Fellows to share their experiences and internalize the insights of others. Structured reflection on how they are building core capacities for urban redevelopment leadership assist them in becoming more effective practitioners, and provide the Center with a source of mid-stream program improvement information. Fellows also receive additional training and skills development, make site visits, and improve their national networks through relationship-building opportunities with other institutions, networks and programs.

Two-year project management jobs with top firms. Organizations hosting Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence Fellows develop real estate at a large scale for the purpose of improving the quality of life and opportunities in distressed areas. They may be for-profit or nonprofit organizations, and are located across the nation. Fellows work in project management roles in these organizations, where they gain experience with all of the elements of the real estate development process as it operates in the urban redevelopment context. Fellows also receive mentorship from host organization senior staffs. While there is no obligation for either party to continue employment after the term of the Fellowship, there is the possibility that host organizations and Fellows will continue to find strong “fits.”