City Planners, also known as Urban Planners, work to improve and maintain the overall quality of a city. They do this through data analysis, transportation planning, and other techniques. A successful planner must balance short-term and long-term needs of a city.
Planning involves analyzing all of the aspects of a city and making suggestions on how to best use the available space. It may involve determining if a certain area is suitable for residential or industrial uses. The process begins with a comprehensive analysis of current and future land and resource use. This is done by working with other professionals, such as architects and engineers. During the planning phase, the city planner may work with residents and businesses to develop a new plan.
Planners can find jobs in government and the private sector. Some specialize in urban planning, while others may work on projects related to ecology, transportation, or environmental preservation. In general, a city planner must have a variety of soft skills and a strong technical background. Most of the planners in this field have bachelor’s degrees. However, some hold master’s degrees. Depending on the level of education, a city planner can earn a salary of $44,241 on average.
A city planner’s job is to evaluate the city’s infrastructure and determine what kind of development is needed. He or she may create a comprehensive plan for a new development, or help design an existing project. Other duties include analyzing and interpreting data and information, using computer applications, and evaluating traffic patterns. These jobs can be extremely demanding. You may need to make proposals for zoning regulations and drafting legislation related to land use.
Urban planners work with communities, politicians, and other professionals to develop plans for new and existing cities. They have to be able to predict how population growth will affect a city and how it can be efficiently developed. They must also be able to anticipate possible problems and solve them in advance. For example, a noisy factory is not permitted in a residential zone.
Urban planners may be tasked with creating transportation systems, designing a residential neighborhood, or developing commercial structures. To begin your career as a city planner, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college. Alternatively, you can start your career with an internship. After completing your internship, you can begin looking for a paid position.
Although most urban planners are graduates of bachelor’s programs, it isn’t uncommon for those with a master’s degree to pursue advanced positions. They can also become certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Once certified, you need to renew your certification every two years.
City Planners use computer software and geographic information systems (GIS) to manage, analyze, and organize their data. They can use this technology to generate high-quality renderings and sketches. Using GIS, urban planners can also locate vacant lots in a city and suggest residential properties on them.
City planners need to be flexible, able to deal with various professionals, and be able to meet deadlines. They may also be called upon to mediate disputes between residents or public groups.