Preservation Planner

Building and historic preservation planners develop plans and programs to protect historic and cultural resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. Building and historic preservation planners typically need a master's degree in historic preservation planning or a related field, and they must have a strong understanding of architectural history, preservation techniques, and planning principles.

Education and Training

Building and historic preservation planners typically need a master's degree in historic preservation planning or a related field. Some common undergraduate majors for people who want to become building and historic preservation planners include history, architecture, and planning. In addition to their formal education, building and historic preservation planners must have a strong understanding of architectural history, preservation techniques, and planning principles. They must also be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.

Skills and Knowledge

Building and historic preservation planners need a variety of skills and knowledge to be successful in their careers. These skills and knowledge include:

• Architectural history: Building and historic preservation planners must have a strong understanding of architectural history in order to be able to identify and evaluate historic buildings and sites.
• Preservation techniques: Building and historic preservation planners must be familiar with a variety of preservation techniques in order to be able to develop and implement plans to protect historic buildings and sites.
• Planning principles: Building and historic preservation planners must have a strong understanding of planning principles in order to be able to develop and implement plans that protect historic buildings and sites while also meeting the needs of the community.
• Communication skills: Building and historic preservation planners must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for building and historic preservation planners is expected to be good over the next few years. As the population grows and more communities recognize the value of their historic resources, there will be a growing need for building and historic preservation planners to develop and implement plans to protect these resources.

Career Advancement

Building and historic preservation planners can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles within their organizations or by starting their own businesses. They may also choose to specialize in a particular area of historic preservation, such as architectural conservation or historic landscape preservation.

Personal Growth Opportunities

Building and historic preservation planners have the opportunity to make a real difference in their communities by protecting and preserving historic resources. They can also learn a great deal about history, architecture, and planning through their work.

Personality Traits and Personal Interests

People who are successful as building and historic preservation planners typically have the following personality traits and personal interests:

• Interest in history and architecture: Building and historic preservation planners must have a strong interest in history and architecture in order to be able to appreciate and understand the value of historic buildings and sites.
• Attention to detail: Building and historic preservation planners must be able to pay close attention to detail in order to be able to identify and evaluate historic buildings and sites.
• Strong communication skills: Building and historic preservation planners must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and the general public.
• Patience and perseverance: Building and historic preservation planning can be a slow and complex process, so building and historic preservation planners must be patient and persevering in their work.

Self-Guided Projects

There are a number of self-guided projects that students can complete to better prepare themselves for a career as a building and historic preservation planner. These projects include:

• Researching local historic buildings and sites: Students can research local historic buildings and sites to learn about their history, architecture, and significance.
• Attending local historic preservation meetings: Students can attend local historic preservation meetings to learn about the issues facing historic preservation in their community.
• Volunteering with local historic preservation organizations: Students can volunteer with local historic preservation organizations to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about building and historic preservation planning. Online courses can provide students with the opportunity to learn about the history of preservation, the techniques used to preserve historic buildings and sites, and the planning principles that are used to protect historic resources. Online courses can also provide students with the opportunity to interact with other students and professionals in the field.

Some of the skills and knowledge that students can gain from online courses in building and historic preservation planning include:

• An understanding of the history of preservation
• The techniques used to preserve historic buildings and sites
• The planning principles that are used to protect historic resources
• The ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders

While online courses can be a helpful learning tool, they are not enough to prepare someone for a career as a building and historic preservation planner. Building and historic preservation planners typically need a master's degree in historic preservation planning or a related field, and they must have a strong understanding of architectural history, preservation techniques, and planning principles. However, online courses can be a helpful way to learn about the field and to prepare for a career in building and historic preservation planning.