What is Knowledge. Place. Power.?

Knowledge. Place. Power. is a community education program designed to help residents, practitioners, and local leaders understand how land use, housing, transportation, and planning decisions shape everyday life—and how to use that knowledge to create change. The program builds resident power through place-based learning, using real examples from your community to deepen spatial awareness and drive collective action.

Who is this program for?

Knowledge. Place. Power. is designed for residents, community leaders, planners, and organizations who want to build stronger, more informed partnerships. Whether you're a resident seeking more voice in planning decisions or a practitioner looking to engage communities more equitably, this program meets you where you are.

Do I need a background in planning or policy to participate?

Not at all. The program is designed to be accessible, clear, and relevant. We break down complex concepts like land use and zoning using real-world examples and community stories. No technical background required—just curiosity and a commitment to equity.

What will I gain from participating?

Residents and community members will gain the tools to recognize patterns of place-based inequity, ask informed questions, and participate confidently in local decision-making. Practitioners will walk away with strategies to center resident voice, build trust, and align engagement with community timelines and priorities.

Is this just theory, or will I learn practical skills?

You'll gain both insight and action. Participants leave with tools for mapping inequities, facilitating community conversations, decoding planning language, and designing strategies that shift power—not just inform.

How much time will I need to commit?

Programs are flexible and tailored to your context. A typical series includes 6–8 sessions, with optional activities in between. For practitioners and agencies, we align the curriculum with your planning or engagement timeline to ensure relevance and impact.

Is there a cost to participate?

Costs vary depending on the format (resident cohorts, custom partnerships, or agency-sponsored sessions). We prioritize access and offer sliding scale options, scholarships, and institutional support packages to make the program available to communities of all sizes.

Can this work outside the U.S.?

Yes. While we use many U.S.-based systems and examples, the core concepts—place, power, and participation—are relevant across geographies. We’ve worked with global partners to adapt the program to local needs and contexts.

How do I get started or stay in the loop?

You can join our interest list, request a planning conversation for your community or agency, or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming sessions and resources.

Residents can also ask their local planning department or community agency to bring Knowledge. Place. Power. to their neighborhood.

Still have questions? email hello@guidedbycommunity.com