The Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design has established the Center for Neighborhoods in partnership with the State of Missouri and community partners to address the challenges facing neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO. The Center serves as a catalyst for neighborhood planning activities, linking our research, education and service activities directly to the issues facing neighborhood organizations in our region. We leverage the expertise of UMKC faculty and the creativity of students to address the pressing challenges of neighborhoods in the city.

The Center for Neighborhoods led by Director Dina Newman provides a one-stop location where neighborhood leaders and residents can access the resources and capacities of the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design (AUP+D) and UMKC — including faculty, staff, and students. Our full time staff provides technical assistance and support for volunteer neighborhood leaders across the city. CFN provides a free curriculum for neighborhood leaders and has worked with more than 175 neighborhood leaders since June 2016.

Neighborhood leaders have access neighborhood data, participate in training and workshops, and actively work with faculty and students to develop and build their organizations. Through an expanded university-community partnership, the Center for Neighborhoods will help to develop and sustain effective community-based organizations in Kansas City, MO.

For more information email neighborhoods@umkc.edu or call (816) 235-6931. Please visit our new cfn website: https://cfn.umkc.edu/