The location of the Urbana-Champaign campus in a region of agricultural towns and small industrial cities, and its proximity to the major metropolitan areas of Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis creates an ideal laboratory for the conduct of planning studies with real clients. Recent student workshops have formulated economic development plans for small towns; prepared historic preservation plans; developed comprehensive plans for small cities and a rural county; prepared a recreation plan in the St. Louis area; and conducted community development projects in Chicago.