How to become An Urban Planner

Urban Planners apply the highest and most admirable form of wisdom to nurture cities and human communities into dynamic yet secure hubs of social, economic, and political activity at peace with the environment, not just for today or tomorrow but for years to come.

• Urban and Regional Planner
• City Planner
• Community Planner
• Community Development Director

What do Urban Planners do?

An Urban Planner would typically need to:

• Identify the best ways to meet community needs of infrastructure and growth; oversee aspects of planning such as economic and environmental impacts
• Hold meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address land-use issues
• Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land-use projects, such as conservation and residential, commercial, industrial, or community use
• Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, public facilities, housing, or transportation
• Investigate property availability for purposes of development; create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land-use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density
• Assess the feasibility of land-use proposals and identify necessary changes; conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use
• Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives
• Coordinate the work of Urban Planning technicians or technologists and prepare technical reports and presentations
• Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development in terms of their environmental impact or conservation
• Advocate for environmental sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups
• Review environmental permits and reports; identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects aiming to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems
• Develop strategies for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation
• Collaborate with technical specialists, economic consultants, and architects during the planning, design, and development stages of large pieces of infrastructure; resolve valid issues
• Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects
• Stay informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations

As an Urban Planner, you will typically divide your time between the office and the site, checking on the progress of projects and helping solve any challenges. Travel may also be required to inspect potential changes in plans and their impact on the environment, land conditions, and land use. Although work may be found all over a country, most Urban Planners work in large metropolitan areas.

An Urban Planner’s dress code consists of formal, casual, or safety attire, depending on the context and situation. When attending formal meetings with officials and community groups, you will be required to wear formal business clothing. For on-site visits, you may wear casual and practical clothing and appropriate safety gear such as a hard hat, high-visibility jackets, or steel toe-capped boots.

Most Urban Planners work full time with standard business hours. Occasionally, you will have to work in the evenings or on weekends to attend meetings with other officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups or complete on-site visits. Some Urban Planners end up having to work more than 40 hours per week.

The requirements of the planning projects you work on will depend on the type and size of the organization you are employed in and its field of specialism. With enough experience, you can eventually start your own business or consultancy. Generally, job vacancies can be found through specialist recruitment agencies and on the official websites of Urban Planning associations.

Urban Planners are generally employed by:

• Management Consultancies
• Scientific & Technical Consultancies
• Environmental Agencies
• Local Authorities
• Transportation Planners
• Construction & Surveying Companies
• Engineering Firms
• Federal or Central Government
• Administrative & Support Systems
• Waste Management
• Utility Companies
• Real Estate Services

The International Urban Development Association (INTA) is a global membership association that brings together public and private policy-makers and urban practitioners to share knowledge, experience, tools, and methods for integrated urban development.

Typically, membership connects you with a global network of peers and offers your projects international visibility and access to cutting-edge information for decision-making in your specialism of Urban Planning, in addition to other benefits such as an e-directory, e-library, and discounts to specific activities.

• A fast-paced and continually evolving work environment that causes stress due to the pressures of meeting project deadlines
• Balancing conflicting interests and negotiating satisfactory deals in the face of pressure from politicians, developers, and the public to formulate or recommend specific plans
• Ensuring and providing high-quality work with limited financial resources
• Incorporating the aspects of climate change into long-term planning
• Creating long-term plans that will accommodate and provide for the increasing population in the future
• Navigating around and negotiating with informal settlers occupying land areas identified for development
• Factoring in topographical variations across a city while planning features such as transportation and water systems

As a highly practical and skilled profession, Urban Planning requires previous work experience either through volunteering or as part of a study program. Many courses provide opportunities to take part in placements and internships; however, most of the time, you are responsible for seeking them out and securing them on your own.

The type of organization you work for during your placement or internship may range from public to private and small to large firms, and will determine the quality and quantity of your experience. Try to ensure that you diversify your experience by working with a variety of employers and on a breadth of project sizes and types, which will afford you useful insights as well as a strong edge in the job market.

Organizing an opportunity to shadow an experienced and professional Urban Planner is especially useful as it enables you to interact with the public and introduces you to relevant administrative duties.

Most Urban Planners have a master’s degree in Urban Planning from accredited programs. Master’s degree programs typically accept students with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, economics, engineering, geography, transportation, political science, or environmental design.

In most master’s programs, students spend considerable time in seminars, workshops, and laboratory courses, learning to analyze and solve Urban Planning problems. Although many programs have a similar core curriculum, there is some variability in the courses they offer and the issues they focus on. Aspiring Urban Planners may choose to focus on topics relevant to urban revitalization.

A bachelor’s degree supplemented by work experience in planning, public policy, or a related field may qualify you for the entry-level jobs of assistant or junior Urban Planners.

Depending on the country and location, accredited institutes may administer optional certification for Urban Planners. Certification or the award of credentials typically demands certain educational and experience requirements, passing an exam and fulfilling the criteria necessary to renew and maintain them.

In addition to professional certification, some locations may require Urban Planners to acquire official licensure. It is advisable to check the rules and regulations of the area you plan to work in.

Certification from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, stand out in a competitive job market, increase your chances for a promotion or advancement, and help you become an independent consultant.

When working in the public sector, advancing from an assistant or graduate planner to a Senior Planner can take between three to five years. You would receive a higher salary while getting the chance to participate in more complex or large-scale projects with increased responsibility.

After gaining ten to fifteen years of experience, positions above and including Senior Manager roles may become available to you. Within a consultancy-based environment, you would be able to work at the Associate Partner level, or as Head of Department within a local authority or a private sector company, based on your skill.

With geographical mobility, you may find several opportunities to move between local authorities. It is also possible to switch between the private and public sectors, for example, between a local authority and a charity or consultancy.

Individual performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications will further your job prospects. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Professional bodies governing your career may offer continuing professional development (CPD), or you may pursue training and development options relevant to your interests and skills, in partnership with your employer. External courses, conferences, and workshops are the more common ways to undertake CPD.

You may opt for additional training in niche areas such as sustainable city planning or policy developments related to Urban Planning. To achieve well-rounded development, you may also consider training in leadership and management skills alongside technical training.

What Do Urban Planners Specialize In?

There are several areas that an Urban Planner may choose to specialize in. These include community development, conservation, regeneration, historic preservation, transportation planning, sustainable development, city/town planning, and urban design.

Human Services Planners develop health and social service programs to upgrade living standards for those lacking opportunities or resources. They frequently work for private health care organizations and government agencies.

Historic Preservation Planners, generally employed by state agencies and local governments, use their knowledge of law and economics to preserve historic sites, buildings, and neighborhoods.

Transportation Planners work mainly for government agencies. They oversee the transportation infrastructure of a community, taking into account community priorities such as economic development and environmental concerns.

Housing and Community Development Planners analyze housing needs to identify potential opportunities and challenges that impact a neighborhood and its surrounding communities. They are typically employed by local governments and private real estate and financial firms.

Economic Development Planners, usually employed by local governments or chambers of commerce, focus on attracting and retaining industry to a specific community. They communicate with industry leaders who select sites for new plants, warehouses, and other major projects.

Environmental Planners advocate integrating environmental issues into building construction, land use, and other community objectives. They work at all levels of government and for some nonprofit organizations.

Urban Design Planners work to design and locate public facilities, such as churches, libraries, and parks, to serve the larger community. Employers include large-scale developers, private consulting firms, and local governments.

International Development Planners specialize in strategies for transportation, rural development, modernization, and urbanization. They are frequently employed by international agencies such as the United Nations and national governments in less developed countries.

Urban Planning and Urban Design

While Urban Planning requires a strategic, technical, and political process to develop city structures, policies, distribution networks, and infrastructure, urban design is the art of shaping and designing the physical features of a city such as buildings, public spaces, and transport systems.

Urban design is usually site-specific and can challenge more general ‘blanket’ policy guidance. Urban Planners who equip themselves with some knowledge of urban design and its practical skills may be better poised for career progress and diversification.

Efficient Urban Planning has reduced auto traffic in Curitiba, Brazil, by over 30 percent since 1974, despite its doubled population.

Urban Planners make sustainable, humane, and ethical decisions to provide present communities and future generations with safe, liveable, and environment-friendly homes, workplaces, and centers of recreation. Their key to success? Creation of harmony between convenience, community, and conscientiousness as global citizens.

Urban Planners make sustainable, humane, and ethical decisions to provide present communities and future generations with safe, liveable, and environment-friendly homes, workplaces, and centers of recreation. Their key to success? Creation of harmony between convenience, community, and conscientiousness as global citizens.