Urban Planner
What's it like to be an Urban Planner?
Urban Planners plan and coordinate developments in cities and regional areas. They assess a community’s needs by doing fieldwork and research before recommending development plans. This includes talking to community members and other stakeholders to discuss plans and the best use of local land. Urban Planners regularly collaborate with architects and engineers to create designs that are safe, sustainable and visually appealing.
Tasks and duties
- Designing new infrastructure, buildings and outdoor spaces.
- Adapting city plans according to population growth and community needs.
- Developing plans that are environmentally friendly.
- Researching local needs by speaking to community members and other stakeholders such as government officials.
- Preserving historical sites and monuments.
- Collaborating with industry experts to assess the risks of a project.
How to become an Urban Planner
To become an Urban Planner you usually need a degree and industry experience. Knowledge of the community you’ll be working in is also important.
Complete a bachelor degree in urban planning or a related field.
If you want to improve your employability, consider completing a masters degree in urban planning.
Work in community development to build experience. You may be able to gain experience through an internship while you study.
