We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Urban Planner

Save

Urban Planning is a field that combines social science, design, and architecture to improve the built environment. Urban planners work with communities to create plans for land use, transportation, housing, and other aspects of city life. They also work to ensure that these plans are implemented in a way that is sustainable and equitable.

Education and Training

Most urban planners have a master's degree in urban planning or a related field. Some urban planners also have a background in architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture. In addition to their formal education, urban planners typically have experience working in community development or other related fields.

Skills and Knowledge

Urban planners need to have a strong understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that affect cities. They also need to be able to think creatively and work collaboratively with others. Other important skills for urban planners include:

  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Project management skills
  • Computer literacy

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The day-to-day responsibilities of an urban planner vary depending on the size and type of community they work in. However, some common tasks include:

Read more

Urban Planning is a field that combines social science, design, and architecture to improve the built environment. Urban planners work with communities to create plans for land use, transportation, housing, and other aspects of city life. They also work to ensure that these plans are implemented in a way that is sustainable and equitable.

Education and Training

Most urban planners have a master's degree in urban planning or a related field. Some urban planners also have a background in architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture. In addition to their formal education, urban planners typically have experience working in community development or other related fields.

Skills and Knowledge

Urban planners need to have a strong understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that affect cities. They also need to be able to think creatively and work collaboratively with others. Other important skills for urban planners include:

  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Project management skills
  • Computer literacy

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The day-to-day responsibilities of an urban planner vary depending on the size and type of community they work in. However, some common tasks include:

  • Conducting research on social, economic, and environmental trends
  • Developing plans for land use, transportation, and housing
  • Working with community members to gather input on plans
  • Presenting plans to decision-makers for approval
  • Monitoring the implementation of plans

Career Growth

Urban planners can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles, specializing in a particular area of planning, or pursuing further education. Some urban planners also go on to work in related fields, such as real estate development or public administration.

Challenges

Urban planning is a challenging field that requires a strong commitment to public service. Urban planners often work long hours and face difficult challenges, such as balancing competing interests and working with limited resources. However, urban planning can also be a rewarding career that allows individuals to make a real difference in their communities.

Personal Growth Opportunities

Urban planning is a field that offers many opportunities for personal growth. Urban planners can learn about a variety of topics, from social justice to environmental sustainability. They can also develop their leadership skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Personality Traits and Interests

Urban planners are typically people who are interested in making a difference in their communities. They are also usually creative, analytical, and have good communication skills. Urban planners should also be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Self-Guided Projects

There are a number of self-guided projects that students can complete to better prepare themselves for a career in urban planning. These projects can help students develop their skills in research, analysis, and communication. Some examples of self-guided projects include:

  • Conducting a study of the land use patterns in a particular neighborhood
  • Developing a plan for a new park or other public space
  • Writing a report on a current planning issue

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about urban planning and develop the skills needed for this career. Online courses can provide students with access to a variety of learning materials, including lecture videos, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs. These materials can help students learn about the social, economic, and environmental factors that affect cities, as well as the skills needed to develop and implement plans for urban development.

Online courses can be a good option for students who want to learn about urban planning at their own pace or who do not have access to a traditional university program. However, it is important to note that online courses alone are not enough to prepare someone for a career in urban planning. Students who want to pursue a career in urban planning should also consider completing an internship or working in a related field.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for Urban Planner

City
Median
New York
$90,000
San Francisco
$108,000
Seattle
$112,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$90,000
San Francisco
$108,000
Seattle
$112,000
Austin
$103,000
Toronto
$93,000
London
£53,000
Paris
€41,000
Berlin
€69,000
Tel Aviv
₪91,000
Singapore
S$113,000
Beijing
¥216,000
Shanghai
¥212,000
Shenzhen
¥224,000
Bengalaru
₹720,000
Delhi
₹439,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Urban Planner

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Urban Planner. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban food system, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of urban food, the challenges of urban food security, and the impacts of food on the environment. Clapp and McMichael are leading urban food experts and their book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban food system.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban economy, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of urban economics, the challenges of urban economic development, and the impacts of the economy on the environment. Florida leading urban economist and his book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban economy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban education system, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of urban education, the challenges of urban educational inequality, and the impacts of education on the environment. Noguera and Orfield are leading urban education experts and their book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban education system.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban environment, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of cities, urban planning, environmental issues, and social and economic challenges. Gandy leading urban theorist and his book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban environment.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban transportation system, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of urban transportation, the challenges of urban traffic congestion, and the impacts of transportation on the environment. Levinson and Vargas-Silva are leading urban transportation experts and their book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban transportation system.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the urban climate, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of urban climatology, the urban heat island effect, and the impacts of climate change on cities. Oke leading urban climatologist and his book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the urban climate.
Is written by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, a leading expert on youth culture, and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history of youth culture, the different types of youth cultures, and the impact of youth culture on society.
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.
Examines the relationship between cities and the environment, focusing on the challenges of sustainability. Steinberg leading environmental historian and his book valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the environmental challenges facing cities.
Examines the political ecology of cities, focusing on the relationship between power, inequality, and the environment. Robbins and Davidov are leading urban political ecologists and their book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the political and environmental challenges facing cities.
Collection of essays that examine the environmental justice movement. Bryant leading environmental justice scholar and his book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the environmental justice movement and its impact on cities.
Explores the impact of digital technology on youth culture and identity. It examines how young people are using digital media to connect with each other, express themselves, and learn about the world around them.
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 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.
This handbook comprehensive overview of the field of youth and young adulthood research. It covers a wide range of topics, including youth culture, identity development, and the transition to adulthood.
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.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of youth culture research in German. It covers a wide range of topics, including youth culture, identity development, and the transition to adulthood.
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.
Explores the relationship between youth, identity, and digital media. It examines how young people are using digital media to construct their identities, and how digital media is shaping the way that young people think about themselves and the world around them.
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.
Explores the relationship between youth culture and the politics of identity. It examines how young people are using youth culture to express their political views, and how youth culture is shaping the way that young people think about politics.
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.
Explores the relationship between youth culture and consumption. It examines how young people are using consumption to construct their identities, and how consumption is shaping the way that young people think about themselves and the world around them.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser