Urban Planner

Urban Planner Career

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An Urban Planner develops the infrastructure of cities. This means that Urban Planners improve transportation systems, plan parks, and generally create a pleasant and easily navigable structure of public resources.

Accomplishing such lofty aims require a combination of art and science. As an Urban Planner, you will draw up technical and aesthetic designs, secure approval for your project, and hire/work with a team of contractors to make it happen. But before you can even start this process, you must prioritize what the city needs.

And this is far from easy to do. Will the city’s health be improved by the rejuvenation of a slum or better served by an initiative to attract more jobs? Should you use federal funding to patch your highway or sewer system? There are countless improvements cities could plan for, but limited budgets get in the way. You help decide how that money is spent.

This work requires an engineering background with a proficiency in computer design and common sense. Your tasks will range from artistic (like sketching out a park’s design) to analytical (juggling population estimates, zoning laws, and city budgets to evaluate where new schools are needed).

On the whole, your work boils down to “If you build it, they will come,” or that a good living environment will stimulate social well being and economic growth.

How do I become an Urban Planner?

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A bachelors degree is needed to enter the field, and one in Urban Planning or Design will put you on a straight path there. However a degree in Architecture with an emphasis on Urban Design is also a good place to start.