Urban or Regional Planner

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

On the job, you would:

Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Urban and regional planners analyze information and data from a variety of sources, such as market research studies, censuses, and environmental impact studies. They use statistical techniques and technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in their analyses to determine the significance of the data.

Communication skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to communicate clearly and effectively because they interact with colleagues and stakeholders, prepare research reports, give presentations, and meet with a wide variety of audiences, including public officials, interest groups, and community members.

Decision-making skills. Urban and regional planners must weigh all possible planning options and combine analysis, creativity, and realism to choose the appropriate action or plan.

Leadership skills. Urban and regional planners must be able to manage projects, which may include overseeing tasks and planning assignments.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		96%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		89%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		87%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		85%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		84%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		82%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		81%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		81%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		80%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		79%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		79%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		78%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		77%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		69%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		63%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		60%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		95%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		61%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		72%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
		67%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		67%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		61%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		56%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		78%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		78%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		75%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		72%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		72%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		72%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		72%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		66%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		66%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		63%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		56%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		53%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		63%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		63%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		61%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		61%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		61%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		59%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		59%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		59%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		59%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		57%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		54%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		54%	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
		54%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		54%	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
		54%	Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
		52%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Communicate with the public on environmental issues.

Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.

Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.

Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.

Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.

Analyze impact of legal or regulatory changes.

Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.

Obtain property information.

Design civil structures or systems.

Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.

Advise others on business or operational matters.

Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

Prepare maps.

Record research or operational data.

Compile geographic or related data.

Analyze geological or geographical data.

Provide technical information or assistance to public.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

Advise others on business or operational matters.

Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.

Communicate with government agencies.

Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.

Mediate disputes.

Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.

Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.

Supervise scientific or technical personnel.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		97%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		94%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		87%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		86%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		82%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		79%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		78%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		77%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		76%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		71%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		70%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		63%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		58%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		57%	Public Speaking - How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job?
		57%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		54%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		53%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		73%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		91%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		90%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		90%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		88%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		87%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		86%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		84%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		83%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		82%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		82%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		81%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		81%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		81%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		80%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		80%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		79%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		77%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		77%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		68%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		67%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		64%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		60%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		59%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		58%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		58%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		56%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		52%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		52%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		51%	Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
		51%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

What Urban and Regional Planners Do

Urban and regional planners review site plans submitted by developers.

Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that 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
Administer government plans or policies affecting land use
Gather and analyze data from market research, censuses, and economic and environmental studies
Conduct field investigations to analyze factors affecting community development and decline, including 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 and building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal issues

Urban and regional planners identify community needs and develop short- and long-term solutions to improve and revitalize communities and areas. As an area grows or changes, planners help communities manage the related economic, social, and environmental issues, such as planning new parks, sheltering the homeless, and making the region more attractive to businesses.

When beginning a project, planners often work with public officials, community members, and other groups to identify community issues and goals. Through research, data analysis, and collaboration with interest groups, they formulate strategies to address issues and to meet goals. Planners may also help carry out community plans by overseeing projects, enforcing zoning regulations, and organizing the work of the groups involved.

Urban and regional planners use a variety of tools and technology in their work. They commonly use statistical software, data visualization and presentation programs, financial spreadsheets, and other database and software programs. Geographic Information System (GIS) software is used to integrate data, such as for population density, with digital maps.

Urban and regional planners may specialize in areas such as transportation planning, community development, historic preservation, or urban design, among other fields of interest.

Planners often collaborate with public officials, civil engineers, environmental engineers, architects, lawyers, and real estate developers.

Work Environment

Urban and regional planners held about 44,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of urban and regional planners were as follows:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals	65%
Architectural, engineering, and related services	8
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	3
Federal government	2

Planners work throughout the country, but most work in large metropolitan areas.

Urban and regional planners may travel to inspect proposed changes and their impacts on land conditions, the environment, and land use.

Work Schedules

Most urban and regional planners work full time during normal business hours, and some may work evenings or weekends to attend meetings with officials, planning commissions, and neighborhood groups. Some planners work more than 40 hours per week.

Getting Started

Education:

56%

Master's Degree

40%

Bachelor's Degree

How to Become an Urban or Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners must be effective communicators when they meet with public officials, developers, and the public regarding development plans and land use.

Urban and regional planners need a master’s degree from an accredited planning program to qualify for most positions.

Education

Urban and regional planners typically need a master's degree from an urban or regional planning program accredited by an organization such as the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). Master's degree programs accept students with a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds, including economics, geography, political science, or a related field, such as architecture.

Most master’s programs have students spending considerable time in seminars, workshops, and laboratory courses, in which they learn to analyze and solve planning problems. Although most master’s programs have a similar core curriculum, there is some variability in the courses they offer and the issues they focus on. For example, programs located in agricultural states may focus on rural planning, and programs located in larger cities may focus on urban revitalization.

Bachelor’s degree holders may qualify for jobs as assistant or junior planners.

Other Experience

Although not necessary for all positions, some entry-level positions require 1 to 2 years of work experience in a related field, such as architecture, public policy, or economic development. Many students gain experience through real planning projects or part-time internships while enrolled in a master’s planning program. Others enroll in full-time internships after completing their degree.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

As of 2016, New Jersey was the only state that required urban and regional planners to be licensed. More information is available from the regulatory board of New Jersey.

The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) offers the AICP certification for planners. To become certified, candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass an exam.

Job Outlook

Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 3,700 openings for urban and regional planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demographic, transportation, and environmental changes will drive employment growth for planners.

Within cities, urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects and address issues associated with population growth, environmental degradation, the movement of people and goods, and resource scarcity. Similarly, suburban areas and municipalities will need planners to address the challenges associated with population changes, including housing needs and transportation systems covering larger areas with less population density.

Planners will also be needed as new and existing communities require extensive development and improved infrastructure, including housing, roads, sewer systems, parks, and schools.

However, federal, state, and local government budgets may affect the employment of planners in government, because development projects are contingent on available funds.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about careers in urban and regional planning, visit

American Planning Association

For more information about certification in urban and regional planning, visit

American Institute of Certified Planners

For more information about New Jersey licensure in planning, visit

New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners

For more information about accredited urban and regional planning programs, visit

Planning Accreditation Board

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of urban and regional planners.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Architects	Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.	Bachelor's degree	$82,840
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, measure, and interpret geographic information in order to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, and other purposes.	Bachelor's degree	$71,890
Civil Engineers	Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.	Bachelor's degree	$89,940
Economists	Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.	Master's degree	$113,940
Geographers	Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants.	Bachelor's degree	$88,900
Landscape Architects	Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.	Bachelor's degree	$73,210
Market Research Analysts	Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.	Bachelor's degree	$68,230
Surveyors	Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries.	Bachelor's degree	$63,080
Survey Researchers	Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.	Master's degree	$60,410
Political Scientists	Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.	Master's degree	$128,020