Sorry, we can't find that. Please try a different city or state.
Log In
Log In to Save
Sign Up to Save
Sign Up to Dismiss
Sign Up
SIGN UP TO UNLOCK CONTENT
The email and password you specified are invalid. Please, try again.
User already exist with emailId.
Email and password are mandatory
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up
Already have an account? Log In
reset password
Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password.
Log In
Log In to Save
Sign Up to Save
Sign Up to Dismiss
Sign up to save the job and get personalized job recommendations.
Sign up to dismiss the job and get personalized job recommendations.
The email and password you specified are invalid. Please, try again.
Email and password are mandatory
Already have an account? Log in
reset password
Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password.
Company Saved
Answer a few questions and view jobs at that match your preferences.
Where do you want to work?
Job Dismissed
Find better matching jobs in
Where do you want to work?
Deal with People
Mostly Sitting
$78,000
Average Salary
Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
DutiesUrban and regional planners typically do the following:
Urban and regional planners identify community needs and develop short- and long-term solutions to develop and revitalize communities and areas. For example, planners examine ideas for proposed facilities, such as schools, to ensure that these facilities will meet the needs of a changing population.
As an area grows or changes, planners help communities manage the related economic, social, and environmental issues, such as planning a new park, sheltering the homeless, and making the region more attractive to businesses.
Some planners work on broad, community-wide projects; others focus on specific issues. Ultimately, planners advocate the best use of a community’s land and resources for residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and recreational purposes.
When beginning a project, planners work with public officials, community members, and other groups to identify community issues and goals. Using research and data analysis, and collaborating with interest groups, they formulate strategies to address issues and to meet goals.
Planners also may help carry out community plans by overseeing projects and organizing the work of the groups involved. Projects may range from a policy recommendation for a specific initiative to a long-term, comprehensive area plan.
Urban and regional planners use a variety of tools and technology in their work, including geographic information systems (GIS) that analyze and manipulate data. GIS is used to integrate data with digital maps. For example, planners use GIS to overlay a land map with population density indicators. They also use statistical software, visualization and presentation programs, financial spreadsheets, and other database and software programs.
The following are examples of types of urban and regional planners:
Land use and code enforcement planners are concerned with the way land is used and whether development plans comply with codes, which are the standards and laws of a jurisdiction. These planners work to carry out effective planning and zoning policies and ordinances. For example, a planner may develop a policy to encourage development in an underutilized location and to discourage development in an environmentally sensitive area.
Transportation planners develop transportation plans and programs for an area. They identify transportation needs and issues, assess the impact of transportation services or systems, and anticipate and address future transportation patterns. For example, as growth outside the city creates more jobs, the need for public transportation to get workers to those jobs increases. Transportation planners develop and model possible solutions and explain the possibilities to planning boards and the public.
Environmental and natural resources planners attempt to mitigate the harmful effects of development on the environment. They may focus on conserving resources, preventing destruction of ecosystems, or cleaning polluted areas.
Economic development planners focus on the economic activities of an area. They may work to expand or diversify commercial activity, attract businesses, create jobs, or build housing.
Urban design planners strive to make building architecture, streets, and public spaces look and function in accordance with an area’s development and design goals. They combine planning with aspects of architecture and landscape architecture. Urban design planners focus on issues such as city layout, street design, and building and landscape patterns.
Show More
Show Less
Urban and regional planners need a master’s degree from an accredited planning program to qualify for most positions.
EducationMost urban and regional planners have a master’s degree from an accredited urban or regional planning program. In 2015, there were 72 programs accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board that offered a master’s degree in planning.
Many master’s programs accept students with a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds. However, many candidates who enter master’s degree programs have a bachelor’s degree in economics, geography, political science, or environmental design.
Most master’s programs include spending considerable time in seminars, workshops, and laboratory courses, in which students learn to analyze and solve planning problems. Although most master’s programs have a similar core curriculum, they often differ in the courses they offer and the issues on which they focus. For example, programs located in agricultural states may focus on rural planning, and programs located in an area with high population density may focus on urban revitalization.
Some planners have a background in a related field, such as public administration, architecture, or landscape architecture.
Aspiring planners with a bachelor’s degree can qualify for a small number of jobs as assistant or junior planners. There are currently 15 accredited bachelor’s degree programs in planning. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree typically need work experience in planning, public policy, or a related field.
Other ExperienceAlthough not necessary for all positions, some entry-level positions require 1 to 2 years of work experience in a related field, such as architecture, public policy, or economic development. Many students gain experience through real-world planning projects or part-time internships while enrolled in a master’s planning program. Others enroll in full-time internships after completing their degree.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAs of 2015, New Jersey was the only state that required urban and regional planners to be licensed, although Michigan required registration to use the title “community planner.” More information can be requested from the regulatory boards of New Jersey and Michigan.
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) offers the professional AICP Certification for planners. To become certified, candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass an exam. Certification must be maintained every 2 years. Although certification is not required for all planning positions, some organizations prefer to hire certified planners.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Urban and regional planners analyze information and data from a variety of sources, such as market research studies, censuses, and environmental impact studies. They use statistical techniques and technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) in their analyses to determine the significance of the data.
Communication skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to communicate clearly and effectively because they often give presentations and meet with a wide variety of audiences, including public officials, interest groups, and community members.
Decisionmaking skills. Urban and regional planners must weigh all possible planning options and combine analysis, creativity, and realism to choose the appropriate action or plan.
Management skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to manage projects, which may include overseeing tasks, planning assignments, and making decisions.
Writing skills. Urban and regional planners need strong writing skills because they often prepare research reports, write grant proposals, and correspond with colleagues and stakeholders.
Show More
Show Less
Do you work as a Community Development Planner?
NO RESULTS
Aw snap, no jobs found.
Help others decide if this is a good career for them
Have you worked as a Community Development Planner? Help other job seekers by rating your experience as a Community Development Planner.
|
|
---|---|
Gender | |
Male 48.8% |
|
Female 40.3% |
|
Unknown 10.9% |
|
Ethnicity | |
White 63.3% |
|
Hispanic or Latino 16.2% |
|
Black or African American 10.3% |
|
Asian 7.6% |
|
Unknown 2.6% |
|
Show More | |
Foreign Languages Spoken | |
Spanish 56.3% |
|
French 25.0% |
|
German 6.3% |
|
Dakota 6.3% |
|
Indonesian 6.3% |
|
Show More |
|
|
---|---|
Schools | |
Pennsylvania State University 7.8% |
|
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 7.8% |
|
University of Pennsylvania 6.3% |
|
University of Phoenix 6.3% |
|
Ball State University 6.3% |
|
Southern Illinois University Carbondale 4.7% |
|
Ohio State University 4.7% |
|
University of Illinois at Chicago 4.7% |
|
Georgia State University 4.7% |
|
University of California - Berkeley 4.7% |
|
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 4.7% |
|
Texas A&M University 4.7% |
|
University of Cincinnati 4.7% |
|
Kent State University 4.7% |
|
University of Oklahoma 4.7% |
|
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 4.7% |
|
University of New Mexico 4.7% |
|
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 3.1% |
|
Arizona State University 3.1% |
|
New York University 3.1% |
|
Show More | |
Majors | |
Business 22.1% |
|
Urban Planning 19.3% |
|
Public Administration 6.6% |
|
Geography 5.0% |
|
Economics 4.4% |
|
History 4.4% |
|
Political Science 3.9% |
|
Communication 3.9% |
|
Management 3.3% |
|
Natural Resources Management 2.8% |
|
Finance 2.8% |
|
Marketing 2.8% |
|
Human Resources Management 2.8% |
|
Environmental Science 2.8% |
|
Urban Studies 2.8% |
|
Real Estate 2.8% |
|
Education 2.2% |
|
Public Policy Analysis 2.2% |
|
Project Management 1.7% |
|
Elementary Education 1.7% |
|
Show More | |
Degrees | |
Masters 40.1% |
|
Bachelors 38.6% |
|
Other 11.6% |
|
Associate 4.1% |
|
Certificate 3.4% |
|
Doctorate 1.5% |
|
License 0.4% |
|
Diploma 0.4% |
|
Show More |
Are you working as a Community Development Planner? Help us rate Community Development Planner as a Career.