How to become an Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners develop policies and plans for the use of land and resources. They advise on the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of particular localities or regions as they relate to the built environment and the community. They also work on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links.

Personal requirements for an Urban and Regional Planner

  • Interested in social, economic, environmental and cultural issues
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Able to produce detailed and accurate work
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Patient and logical

Education & Training for an Urban and Regional Planner

To become an urban and regional planner you usually have to study urban, regional or environmental planning at university. You may also consider other degrees that emphasise related fields such as architecture, economics, environmental management or science, geography and sociology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.


Duties & Tasks of an Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners:

  • Develop long-range objectives to cope with growth and change, in consultation with affected communities
  • Perform surveys and site inspections
  • Compile and analyse information on physical, economic, social, legal, political, cultural and environmental factors that affect land use
  • Discuss plans with local communities, private companies and government organisations
  • Consider new developments or re-developing areas and advise state and local governments about planning issues for projects such as new suburbs, transportation links, industrial estates, retail complexes and housing developments
  • Draw up plans for development or re-development and evaluate proposals in terms of benefits and costs, recommending how schemes can be carried out
  • Prepare urban and rural subdivision plans, taking into account various land uses, including residential, public open space, schools and shops
  • Prepare and coordinate economic, social and environmental impact studies
  • Provide evidence for appeals in planning disputes
  • Consult with, and act as an advocate for, community groups or developers
  • Assist developers to obtain planning permits
  • Design strategies to guide land and resource use and development in particular locations
  • Recommend a course of action that ensures local and regional needs will be met, by taking into account factors such as amenity, community facilities, access to employment, retail housing and transport
  • Supervise and work with associates and technicians.

Tasks

  • Staying up-to-date with changes in building and zoning codes, regulations and other legal issues
  • Devising and recommending use and development of land, and presenting narrative and graphic plans, programs and designs to groups and individuals
  • May speak at public meetings and appear before government to explain planning proposals
  • Reviewing and evaluating environmental impact reports
  • Advising governments and organisations on urban and regional planning and resource planning
  • Compiling and analysing data on economic, legal, political, cultural, demographic, sociological, physical and environmental factors affecting land use
  • May serve as mediators in disputes over planning proposals and projects
  • Conferring with government authorities, communities, Architects, social scientists, Legal Professionals, and planning, development and environmental specialists

Working conditions for an Urban and Regional Planner

Planners work closely with professionals in other fields (such as surveying, urban design, architecture, engineering, environment and conservation, property development, community services and transport planning). There is a high level of public contact as planners spend a lot of time in meetings and discussions. Time is also spent on field visits, writing reports and performing research. Planners are required to prepare documentation of decisions for independent review and are often called upon to appear as expert witnesses before appeal hearings.


Employment Opportunities for an Urban and Regional Planner

The majority of urban and regional planners work in metropolitan areas and regional centres. However, the number of opportunities available in country areas is growing.


Specializations

Transportation Planner

A transportation planner balances public and private transport to avoid congestion in cities.

Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners develop policies and plans for the use of land and resources. They advise on the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of particular localities or regions as they relate to the built environment and the community. They also work on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links. Planning is a broadly based discipline and it is possible to specialise in a wide range of fields, including strategic planning, urban design, environmental impact assessment, residential planning, commercial and industrial planning, heritage planning, tourism planning and social planning.

  • Average age
    Average age
    39
  • Future Growth
    Future Growth
    Positive
  • Gender Share
    Gender Share
    46% female
  • Average full-time
    Average full-time
    40 hours
  • Weekly Pay
    Weekly Pay
    $2,036
  • Skill level rating
    Skill level rating
    Very high skill
  • Unemployment
    Unemployment
    Lower unemployment
  • Full-Time Share
    Full-Time Share
    81%
  • Employment Size
    Employment Size
    19,000
  • Employment Size
    Employment by state
    ACT: 1.1%
    NSW: 32.3%
    NT: 0.6%
    QLD: 20.3%
    SA: 5.6%
    TAS: 1.5%
    VIC: 26.8%
    WA: 11.9%
  • Employment Size
    Age brackets
    15-19: 0.1%
    20-24: 6%
    25-34: 31.5%
    35-44: 29.3%
    45-54: 19.3%
    55-59: 6.4%
    60-64: 4.6%
    65 and Over: 2.8%
  • Employment Size
    Education level
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.9%
    Bachelor degree: 47.9%
    Below Year 10: 0%
    Certificate III/IV: 3%
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 36.8%
    Year 10 and below: 0.8%
    Year 11: 0.6%
    Year 12: 4.9%
    Years 11 & 10: 0%
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