Urban and Regional Planning - Job Description

Urban and regional planners develop plans and programs for the use of land. Their plans help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Duties

Urban and regional planners typically do the following:
Meet with public officials, developers, and the public regarding development plans and land use
Gather and analyze economic and environmental studies, censuses, and market research data
Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting land use
Review site plans submitted by developers
Assess the feasibility of proposals and identify needed changes
Recommend whether proposals should be approved or denied
Present projects to communities, planning officials, and planning commissions
Stay current on zoning or building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues

Urban and regional planners identify community needs and develop short- and long-term plans to create, grow, and revitalize communities and areas. For example, planners examine plans for proposed facilities, such as schools, to ensure that these facilities will meet the needs of a changing population.