Overview

What is an Urban Planner?

Urban Planners are built environment professionals that manage competing demands for the usage of space. Their expertise helps shape the towns, communities and cities that we live in. Working alongside government officials, developers and members of the community, they create plans that balance the needs of both the residents of a town or city and the environment.

Urban Planners are often referred to by other titles which may denote minor differences in focus, including:

  • Town Planners
  • Planning Officers
  • Regional Planners
  • City Planners
  • Community Planners

What is the purpose of urban planning?

With the global population growing exponentially and the built environment a central contributor to our ongoing climate crisis, Urban Planners play a crucial role in sustainable development. Their work is crucial to optimising the quality of life for communities in the built environment, while simultaneously addressing the needs of the natural environment.

How much do Urban Planners earn?

The salary of an Urban Planner is usually between £18,000 – £45,000 a year.

Slide
Starting salary:
£0k
Higher end:
£0k

Skills

What’s required for the role?

  • Strong organisational skills
  • Creative thinking
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Analytical skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Teamwork and leadership skills
  • Report writing
  • Digital literacy
  • Project management
  • Initiative
  • Networking
  • Research
  • Data literacy
  • Attention to detail

Details

What does an Urban Planner do?

As there are a wide range of different specialisms and concentrations within the field, the exact responsibilities of an Urban Planner can vary. Generally, planning involves:

  • Consulting and negotiating with different stakeholders (e.g. government officials, contractors, communities)
  • Conducting reviews of planning applications
  • Keeping abreast of the latest legislation, regulation and legal issues in the industry
  • Providing advice to clients throughout the planning process
  • Writing and producing reports to make recommendations and support submissions and decision-making
  • Conducting research and analysis using data
  • Utilising IT tools like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Developing solutions that satisfy all stakeholders
  • Attending public presentations and presenting at planning boards
  • Promoting the importance of sustainable development and ensuring environmental issues are represented in the process

What is the work environment like?

As there are a wide range of different specialisms and concentrations within the field, the exact responsibilities of an Urban Planner can vary. Generally, planning involves:

Urban planning is largely an office-based career. However, depending on the nature of your employer, you’ll often have the opportunity travel in order to visit sites or meet with clients.

Planners can work in the public sector for local or national government bodies, although opportunities do exist in the private sector in consultancies, firms of chartered surveyors, and public utilities.

As an integral profession in the building lifecycle, planning professionals will work closely alongside other functions in the built environment, like architects, surveyors and project managers, providing networking opportunities.

Opportunities

Is urban planning a good career?

Planning is a profession that is in demand but short of talent. As such, there are great opportunities for applicants to join the industry, meaning they can be confident of securing employment if they have the right background and qualifications.

With the percentage of the population living in urban areas only set to grow, the demand for planning expertise is likely to continue increasing in the common years, so planning professionals can expect longevity and long-term security.

If you like being creative and having the freedom to innovate, you may find urban planning an interesting and rewarding profession. While a lot of the area is grounded in legislation and regulation, your role will be to devise creative solutions. You’ll make use of innovative digital tools to achieve this, making it an appealing role for people comfortable with technology.

Planning can also be a compelling career for people who are passionate about communities and the environment. Professionals in this field will play a key role over the coming decades in ensuring new developments are aligned with the needs of the environment and sustainable in nature. They’ll also be able to see the products of their labour on a significant scale, and play an instrumental part in creating environments that impact the lives of many people.

Urban planning is itself a broad field, giving professionals the opportunity to specialise in certain areas that pique their interest and continue challenging themselves. Some of these specialisms include:

  • Transportation planning
  • Environmental planning
  • Sustainability consulting
  • Urban design
  • Conservation
  • Housing
  • Waste and energy

Who can become an Urban Planner?

There are no restrictions for who can become a planner and launch a career in the field. At UCEM, thousands of students from across the world have undertaken their studies and successfully entered industries like urban planning in the built environment. Find out about their experiences below:

Why it’s never too late for a career change: a Q&A with UCEM Programme Leaders Jon Hubert and Nicola Allen

How to get into urban planning

To begin a career in the industry, a non-cognate or Royal Institute of Town Planners (RTPI) degree is usually required. Professionals can work towards Chartered status with the RTPI.

Another option is to undertake an apprenticeship, which will give you practical experience alongside relevant qualifications.