The responsibility of developing land use plans and programs for sustainable communities usually falls on urban planners. As communities grow and more of the world becomes urbanized, planners work to ensure facilities like schools are designed to suit their population’s needs. AEC professionals considering an urban planning career should know it’s a path that requires a range of competency and social skills.
Beginning your urban planning career: What to know
Many planners work full-time for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and real estate firms. While urban planning jobs are available in different regions, they’re most common in large, metropolitan areas. These professionals often work with civil engineers, environmental consultants, real estate developers, and architects to coordinate and draft appropriate plans for cities.
While most of an urban planner’s job is spent in an office, coordinating and planning projects, negotiating deals, giving presentations, and attending meetings, they often visit worksites and spend some time in the field. You may also choose to work in a specific area as your specialization. Some of these include:
Conservation. Urban planners in this field work with real estate developers to ensure the preservation of heritage sites, landmarks, and culturally significant land.
Environmental planning. These urban planners ensure construction workers conduct development projects sustainably, leaving a limited ecological impact on the environment.
Revitalization. This field focuses on restoring damaged and degraded infrastructure that poses a health risk to people living in the area.
Expansion. As more people migrate to cities, urban planners in this field work to expand these cities to accommodate their population.
Urban planning job requirements—here’s what you need
Education
The minimum education required to have an urban planning career is a master’s degree in Urban Planning. This is usually for senior roles and more experienced planners. Professionals in this field who only have a degree may only work in junior positions. To advance in this career and take on project planning roles, you’ll need to obtain a higher level of education.
Licenses and certifications
Some fields of urban planning require you to have a license, although it’s not always a requirement. Getting certifications also help you gain an advantage in growing your career. It shows you have deep knowledge of the field or teaches you new skills to succeed. Earning a certificate from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) requires you to meet specific academic requirements and pass the organization’s exams.
Skills and qualities
Certain skills are needed in urban planning jobs since these professionals are responsible for large projects and work with different people. Some of these skills include communication skills that allow them to understand project briefs and pass the message on to other workers in the project. Decision-making skills are also crucial for managing different parts of the project. Community management skills help them support and take action on issues that are important to their communities.
Search urban planning jobs with Certis Solutions
Finding a good job as you venture into urban planning can be complex without the right tools. Getting help from an engineering staffing agency like Certis Solutions during your job search can be incredibly helpful. We have years of experience connecting job seekers with their dream roles, and our extensive connections in the industry ensure we only match our candidates with jobs that are the right fit for them. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect urban planning job.
