Design The Block
Design the Block is a five-week, Harlem-based summer program that immerses high school students and young professionals
in architecture, design, and urban planning. Using Harlem as a living classroom, participants explore how history, culture, and policy shape the built environment while reimagining solutions to real neighborhood challenges such as housing, public space, and sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
Design the Block Scholars:
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Examine the roles of architecture, urban design, and city planning in shaping communities.
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Create and present a design proposal
using sketches, models, and digital tools.
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Identify postsecondary pathways and careers in design, planning, and related fields.
Fellows (Young Adults)
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Develop leadership and facilitation skills through mentoring youth.
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Gain hands-on experience in a project
coordination and design education.
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Build career readiness through
coaching, resume support, and industry exposure.