Urban planners develop plans and programs to provide for the future growth of a community; revitalize run-down areas of a community; and achieve more efficient uses of the community's land, social services, industry, and transportation.
Before preparing plans or programs, urban planners conduct detailed studies of local conditions and current population. After preparing a plan, they develop cost estimates and other relevant materials and aid in the presentation of the program before community officials, planning boards, and citizens' groups.
Most urban planners (also called city planners, community planners, or regional planners) work for city, county, or regional planning agencies. State and federal agencies employ urban planners in the fields of housing, transportation, and environmental protection. Large land developers also employ urban planners, and some teach in colleges and universities.
Many urban planners do consulting work, either part-time in addition to a regular job or full-time for firms that provide planning services to private developers and government agencies.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Urban planners are employed throughout the United States in communities of all sizes.
A 40-hour workweek is usual for urban planners, but evening and weekend hours are often necessary for meetings and community activities.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
The ability to analyze relationships and to visualize plans and designs are necessary for urban planners. They should be able to work well with people and cooperate with those who may have different viewpoints.
High school students interested in this field should take social science and mathematics courses. Part-time or summer jobs in community government offices can be helpful.
Almost all jobs in this field require a master's degree in urban or regional planning, even for entry-level positions. Most graduate programs require two years to complete. Part-time or summer work in a planning office is usually a required part of the advanced degree program.
Urban planners seeking employment with federal, state, or local governments usually must pass civil service examinations before securing a position.
Potential and Advancement
This field is expected to grow through the years to come, but demand for urban planners will be greater in some regions than others. Demand for urban planners will be higher in states such as Florida and Maine, which have mandated planning, and in rapidly growing areas such as California and northern Virginia. There will also be many opportunities in smaller cities and in older areas, like the Northeast, which are undergoing development and preservation. Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for urban planners will grow by 6 percent between 2014 and 2024, providing average job prospects.
Income
The median annual salary for all urban planners was $68,220 in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources of Additional Information
- American Planning Association
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Department of Urban Planning University of Wisconsin
Related Jobs
Related jobs include architect, engineer, and landscape architect.
