Urban Planning Summer Intern

We are seeking highly motivated Master’s-level students in Urban Planning, Public Policy, or related fields to join us for a hands-on summer internship. This is a high-impact role designed for individuals who want to go beyond research and actively shape and implement initiatives in a major U.S. city.

Interns will contribute to both strategic planning and on-the-ground execution, working closely with leadership and key stakeholders across Oakland.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research & Benchmarking

• Conduct comparative research on innovative urban planning strategies across cities within the U.S. 
• Analyze programs focused on:
• Public space activation
• Economic revitalization
• Homelessness and public health
• Transportation and mobility
• Community activation
• Translate research into actionable insights tailored to Oakland

2. Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement

• Identify and map key stakeholders, including:
• City agencies
• Community-based organizations
• Local businesses
• Developers and advocacy groups

3. Strategy Development (Month 1 Focus)

• Conduct landscape analysis of peer cities within the U.S. to identify effective, scalable urban planning interventions
• Evaluate both successful and failed approaches across areas such as public space activation, economic revitalization, and service delivery
• Assess existing programs and initiatives within the DDC and braoder Oakland to determine:
• Effectiveness and measurable outcomes
• Gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement
• Opportunities for expansion or redesign
• Synthesize findings into clear, evidence-based recommendations for pilot initiatives

4. Program Execution (Month 2 Focus)

• Help implement 1–2 pilot initiatives in Downtown Oakland
• Coordinate logistics, partnerships, and day-to-day execution
• Track outcomes, gather insights, and support iteration
• Ensure the program is sustainable in the long-term