Jobs as an urban planner can be found in cities all over the world. Most urban planners work for the government and are responsible for the development of multiple cities at the same time. Others may specialize in one aspect of a city’s needs, such as transportation or economic development, while others have experience managing all aspects of urban development. These experts collaborate with city, county, state, and national officials to plan where roads, business centers, residential areas, and community facilities like schools and hospitals should be built.
Urban planners are used in cities, suburbs, towns, and rural areas for a variety of reasons. Many urban planners will choose to specialize in one of these types of urban planner jobs because the needs of these different types of communities are often different. Cities, for example, may need an urban planner to help them grow without becoming congested, whereas towns may require planners to help them maintain their aesthetic and feel as they grow.
The majority of urban planner jobs entail a variety of responsibilities. When zoning a city, planners must consider a variety of factors, including population, growth, the economy, transportation, and public needs. They may also plan with a city’s historic or aesthetic needs in mind, such as preserving the feel of a charming, walkable downtown or ensuring that natural spaces are incorporated into city development.
Other urban planners may focus on a specific aspect of the city planning process. One of the most common types of urban planner jobs is transportation development, which includes the construction of new roads and the planning of public transportation, such as subways, buses, and trains. An urban planner can also help with the economic development of a city. These jobs may entail zoning for more commercial or industrial development, as well as ensuring that there is a large enough population within commuting distance to support the desired development.
Government organizations are the most common employers of urban planners. Large cities may have enough money to hire urban planners who will work exclusively for them, but the majority of urban planning jobs are found at the state, provincial, or even national level. Government-employed urban planners may be assigned to a number of different cities and towns at the same time.