Recent research has shown that urban youth are amongst the most prevalent users of mobile applications, and yet, they are not designing, developing and therefore, profiting, from them.  The economic potential of this activity is exemplified by a recent article in the NY Times (May 2011) that reported on how a "Facebook class" at Stanford University launched dozens of mobile applications, generating millions of dollars, creating jobs and accidentally creating a new paradigm: "lean start-ups."  Launching new firms based on mobile applications is cost effective and rapid due to open software and existing social media platforms.   We propose building a sustainable ecosystem for urban development through an "Urban Apps & Maps Studio" that has the potential to quickly and efficiently serve in the redevelopment of one of the most underprivileged areas of Philadelphia by creating jobs and training the next generation of technology professionals through engagement and mentoring of interested high school and college students all the while connecting them to modern IT and digital corporations.