Urban and Regional Planner
Urban and regional planners are professionals responsible for determining the optimal use of land and resources within communities or regions. They develop strategic plans that address various issues, including environmental conservation, economic development, and social needs such as public parks and homeless shelters. Planners analyze demographic data, employment statistics, and infrastructure elements to inform their decisions. Typically working in office environments within consulting firms or government agencies, they also conduct field visits to assess potential development sites. The role requires strong skills in spatial reasoning, mathematics, and geographic information systems (GIS), as well as the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Urban and regional planners often work over 40 hours a week, participating in public meetings and collaborating with officials and community members. To enter this field, individuals generally need a master’s degree after completing an undergraduate program in related areas such as geography or environmental design. With a median annual salary of approximately $81,800, the profession is expected to grow at an average rate, reflecting the ongoing demand for thoughtful urban and regional development.
Urban and Regional Planner
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction, Government & Public Administration, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Interests: Public Policy, Architecture, Geography, Community Services, Public Planning, Community and Urban Infrastructure
Earnings (Yearly Median): $81,800 per year $39.33 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 4% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Urban and regional planners decide how best to use the land and resources of a specific community or region and develop the plans to do so. Their work may include establishing guidelines for preserving ecologically sensitive areas, formulating a strategy to attract new businesses to the region, or helping to draft legislation that will address environmental and social issues, such as public parks and homeless shelters. Planners study different elements of a particular area, including population demographics, employment numbers, and aspects of public infrastructure, such as highways and sewer lines, to determine the best land use for the community.
Work Environment. Urban and regional planners generally work in offices in consulting firms or government organizations. They often spend time in the field, inspecting sites intended for development. Planners work at least forty hours per week, plus some evenings and weekends, when participating in public meetings.
Occupation Interest. Individuals attracted to urban and regional planning tend to find satisfaction in providing services to others and seeing projects through from start to finish. They are spatially oriented and can visualize how various projects affect local communities. Planners should have an affinity for math and geographic information systems (GIS) and be able to use statistical data to solve problems.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Urban and regional planners are responsible for the development of a particular area. On a given day, a planner who works for a government organization may help devise plans and policies that will affect community interests, such as zoning and public utilities, or make recommendations on how officials should respond to development proposals. Planners in private companies may spend their time negotiating with those same officials, conducting feasibility studies on proposed projects, or collecting and analyzing data on current land use. Urban and regional planners often must attend public hearings to address the questions and concerns of the community. Their responsibilities may also include soliciting and selecting proposals from developers, coordinating building plans with consultants and various construction personnel, or reviewing GIS maps to determine what services are needed in what areas, which could be anything from more fire hydrants to greater access to public transportation.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Urban and regional planners prepare and assess data in an office setting, but they are usually required to visit various outdoor work sites. While they use computers daily, they do not spend all day at a desk.
Human Environment. Urban and regional planners interact with the public, government workers, peers, and supervisors in person, by phone, and via email. When conducting field investigations, they may work with land developers, public officials, and community representatives. They must cooperate with and adapt to various personalities in a deadline-oriented environment.
Technological Environment. An urban planner’s technological environment will generally include computers, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and computer-aided design (CAD) software, as well as software for desktop publishing and map creation.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career in urban planning should study math and computer science and take classes to help them develop strong communication skills. An internship or part-time job in local government can provide valuable experience.
Postsecondary. Urban and regional planners should earn their undergraduate degrees in economics, political science, geography, environmental design, or a similar subject. They should then pursue postgraduate studies in an accredited planning program or a related field such as geography or urban design; individuals with only a bachelor’s degree often stay in entry-level urban planning positions and need a master’s degree to advance. Coursework should include architecture, law, earth sciences, economics, and statistics. Graduate students usually participate in urban planning seminars, workshops, lab courses, problem-solving activities, and local government internships.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 19-3051 Urban and Regional Planners." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193051.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Urban and Regional Planners." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.