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City Planner

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March 29, 2024 Updated April 11, 2025 16 minute read

A Career Guide to City Planning

City Planners, also known as Urban and Regional Planners, play a crucial role in shaping the communities where we live, work, and play. They develop plans for the use of land and physical facilities within cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. Their work involves balancing the needs of housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental protection to create functional, sustainable, and attractive places.

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Salaries for City Planner

City
Median
New York
$137,000
San Francisco
$145,000
Seattle
$132,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$137,000
San Francisco
$145,000
Seattle
$132,000
Austin
$119,000
Toronto
$104,000
London
£75,000
Paris
€72,000
Berlin
€61,000
Tel Aviv
₪33,000
Singapore
S$69,900
Beijing
¥122,000
Shanghai
¥200,000
Shenzhen
¥505,000
Bengalaru
₹464,000
Delhi
₹687,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to City Planner

Take the first step.
We've curated 23 courses to help you on your path to City Planner. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
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Reading list

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A comprehensive and authoritative overview of the field of urban planning, covering a wide range of topics from theory to practice.
This comprehensive textbook provides a detailed overview of urban management and governance, covering a wide range of topics from land use planning to environmental protection. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners alike who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of this complex field.
A comprehensive overview of the field of urban geography, covering topics ranging from the spatial structure of cities to the social and economic processes that shape cities.
A comprehensive guide to urban design methods, including case studies and examples from around the world.
A comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of climate change for cities, covering topics ranging from adaptation to mitigation to resilience.
A comparative analysis of the politics of urban planning in different countries, covering topics ranging from the role of the state to the participation of citizens.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable urban development, covering a wide range of topics from housing to transportation. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners who are looking to learn more about how to create more sustainable and livable cities.
A practical guide to planning for climate change, including case studies and examples from around the world.
A comprehensive overview of the concept of the smart city, covering topics ranging from the use of technology to the role of citizens.
A practical guide to infrastructure planning in developing countries, covering topics ranging from project identification to financing to implementation.
This practical guidebook provides local governments with step-by-step instructions on how to develop and implement sustainable urban planning policies. It is an essential resource for anyone who is involved in planning for a more sustainable future.
Provides a comparative analysis of urban resilience in different cities around the world. It examines how factors such as governance, infrastructure, and social capital contribute to a city's ability to withstand and recover from crises.
This groundbreaking book by Jane Jacobs revolutionized the way we think about cities. It argues that successful cities are built on a foundation of diversity, vitality, and human interaction.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Robert Moses provides a fascinating look at the complex and controversial figure who shaped the development of New York City in the 20th century.
This thought-provoking book by Richard Sennett explores the social and cultural dynamics of urban life. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges and opportunities facing cities in the 21st century.
This influential book by Richard Florida argues that the creative class is the driving force behind economic growth and urban revitalization. It must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of cities.
Argues that resilience is not just about surviving adversity, but about thriving in the face of it. Rodin draws on her experience as president of the Rockefeller Foundation to offer insights into how cities can build resilience to a wide range of challenges.
This fascinating book explores the relationship between spatial structures and human thought. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the built environment influences our behavior and cognition.
This classic book by Lewis Mumford provides a sweeping overview of the history of cities. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of urban life.
By Alan Ehrenhalt provides a detailed analysis of the challenges facing American cities. It must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of urban life in the United States.
Provides a framework for assessing and improving the resilience of cities. It covers topics such as risk assessment, planning, and implementation.
Provides a global perspective on urban resilience. It examines how cities in different parts of the world are responding to the challenges of climate change, natural disasters, and other threats.
Argues that urban resilience is essential for economic growth and prosperity. Glaeser and Levitt use data to show that cities that are more resilient are also more likely to be successful.
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