GPIankade

GPIankade is a fictional urban district created by the Global Planning Institute (GPI) for educational simulations and urban policy analysis. It serves as a case study framework to explore planning challenges, policy options, and governance processes in a controlled setting.

In most simulations, GPIankade is described as a compact coastal district in a hypothetical northern-hemisphere city-state. It is modeled to cover roughly 25 to 30 square kilometers and to house about 150,000 to 200,000 residents, providing a diverse mix of neighborhoods, commercial zones, and public spaces suitable for testing planning scenarios.

The concept was introduced in 2010 as part of a graduate and professional development curriculum and has since been updated in 2015 and 2020 to reflect evolving planning methodologies. Updates emphasize transit-oriented development, climate resilience, affordable housing, and data-driven decision making, with particular attention to the integration of mobility, energy, and environmental systems.

GPIankade operates under a fictional municipal council within the simulations, engaging participants in participatory planning exercises that include students, faculty, professionals, and community stakeholders. The governance model highlights transparency, collaborative budgeting, and cross-sector coordination among housing, transport, environment, and land-use agencies to illustrate trade-offs and policy implications.

The simulated economy centers on knowledge-intensive services, higher education, and technology research, supported by a transit network that includes light rail and bus rapid transit. The district prioritizes walkability, green spaces, and energy efficiency in new developments, aiming to demonstrate sustainable urban growth and resilience planning.

GPIankade remains a flexible planning construct used to examine equity considerations, policy trade-offs, and long-term resilience strategies in urban design education.