Urban Design Intern

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has three divisions - Community Planning & Design, Economic Opportunity & Development, and Zoning & Development - and also encompasses the Housing Department and the Cambridge Arts Council[KD1] [SC2] . We work closely with colleagues in other City Departments such as Sustainability, Public Works, and Transportation. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Community Planning & Design Division guides growth and development to improve quality of life in the city. We provide planning and design services related to citywide and neighborhood planning, development review, and parks and public space planning, design, and programming.

This position is an opportunity for individuals interested in urban design and planning to gain first-hand experience in a very active planning and design office, working directly with urban design staff.

Urban Design Intern Responsibilities

The Urban Design Intern will provide general support for the urban design staff and undertake research projects. Specific day-to-day responsibilities may include the following:[SB3] [BG4]

• Assist staff in the review and analysis of major development projects.
• Support the preparation and development of urban design guidelines and related planning studies.
• Produce high quality 3d drawings, maps, diagrams, illustrations, and other visual materials to support design studies.
• Help prepare reports, meeting materials, and other internal and external-facing communications.
• Participate in meetings related to urban design policies, development review, and long-range planning efforts.
• Assist in community engagement activities, such as preparing boards, attending workshops, or summarizing feedback.
• Prepare three-dimensional massing studies, site studies, and neighborhood studies.
• Conduct site visits, photo documentation, and fieldwork to support urban design projects.
• Perform additional design and planning tasks as necessary.

Research tasks may include:

• Analyze and summarize urban design and architectural best practices, precedents, and emerging trends.
• Help create and maintain photographic libraries and precedent databases.
• Undertake post-occupancy assessments to help evaluate whether completed projects meet the intent of the City’s urban design guidelines and identify opportunities for improvement.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Current student pursuing a degree in urban design, architecture, urban planning, or landscape architecture, or a recent graduate.
• Professional experience, or an interest in architecture or urban design, is highly desired.
• Desired Skills and Abilities [SB5]
• Proficiency in 3d modeling software such as Rhino, AutoCAD, and SketchUp.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other rendering software.
• Basic knowledge of architectural design, methods of construction, and materials.
• Basic understanding of urban design principles and theory.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Good graphic, written, and verbal communication skills
• High level of motivation and detail-oriented skills
• Ability to work independently.

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting. Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, and moderate noise level. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy.

Start Date: June 2026 (exact date negotiable).

End Date: June 2027 (can be extended with mutual agreement

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter