Built for placemaking
Urban planning is the process of designing, managing and regulating the use of space. It is a practice that draws upon various factors relating to both the natural and the built environment, from the social and the political impact of development to the transportation of resources and the importance of sustainability. Often referred to as town planning, city planning, planning and development and spatial planning, this practice concerns rural, urbanised and suburban areas.
The goal of urban planning is to develop the quality of life of a city, town or space’s inhabitants, both for now and for the future. To achieve this, urban planners balance the demands of growing communities with the needs of both the environment and economic development.
Where does urban planning come from?
Urban design and planning have existed in some shape or form since the dawn of civilisation. In both ancient Egypt and China, there is evidence of cities being built in line with fixed plans that factored in residential privacy, sanitation and religious activity. The rise of ancient Greece and later the Roman Empire saw the concept evolve, with Greek philosopher Hippodamus often referred to as ‘the father of city planning’.
Planning ideals are visible throughout civilisation all the way through to the 19th century and the onset of the industrial revolution, when urban planning was used to mitigate the impact of industrialisation. Its importance has only grown since then in the wake of population growth and climate change.
How urban planning works
Planning is a broad field with various different applications. As such, there are several different practices within this profession.
7 types of urban planning:
This is the practice of creating comprehensive plans and strategic, long-term goals for the growth and development of a city. It’s often regarded as the highest level of the planning process.
This field delves into the policy and legislation that determines how land is used.
Masters planners start from scratch on undeveloped land and work on planning the future of a given space, defining what it will take to make this a reality.
In contrast to master planning, urban revitalisation involves existing areas that are in decline and assesses how to make improvements to these locations.
This facet of planning focuses on identifying potential areas of growth that will lead to financial prosperity.
Planners in this field focus on the crucial facilities and systems that serve a city’s residents, e.g. telecommunications, transport and hospitals, and how these align with the overall strategy of an urban plan.
Environmental urban planners emphasise sustainability throughout development, ensuring that environmental factors like pollution, climate resilience and the habitats of animal species are considered in the planning process.
Why we need urban planners
As of 2024, there are over 8.1 billion people in the world. By 2058, it’s predicted that this number will increase to 10 billion. If cities, towns and urban areas are badly planned, existing infrastructure will be overwhelmed and hinder economic growth. Concepts like the 15-minute city model can address this by providing easy, local access to the amenities residents need without having to travel long distances.
Rapid population growth is driving increased urbanisation, and with it, more pollution. Over half of people live in urban areas – up from a third in 1950 – and the processes that create these locations are among the most damaging to the environment. The built environment as a whole is responsible for around 40% of all energy-related carbon emissions, and with the 2050 net zero target set by the United Nations approaching, it’s more important than ever to ensure the designs of our cities align with sustainable development.
City planners have a responsibility to ensure that urban development aligns with public health. This extends to both physical and mental wellbeing, as the environments we live in can have a profound impact on our mood, stress levels and overall health. For instance, incorporating green spaces in environmental planning can reduce noise levels, improve air quality and encourage physical activity, all of which can go a long way to supporting the physical and mental health of a city’s residents.
Urban plans need to meet the needs of everyone in the community. When they're ineffective, the lives of a city or town’s residents can be impacted disproportionately. The layout and structure of cities will impact the level of affordable housing and actually exasperate wealth inequality if not managed effectively. What’s more, gender-biased design can impact the safety of women, and failing to consider accessibility for people with disabilities can fuel inequality.
The consequences of climate change are worsening each year. With extreme weather events like floods, drought and heatwaves becoming more and more frequent, effective town and city planning can help protect infrastructure, and, most importantly, keep people safe. For instance, concepts like the sponge city model are being employed to improve climate resilience by absorbing excess water from flood and rainfall that can later be accessed in the event of a flood.
Careers
What jobs are there in the urban planning industry?
There are a wide range of opportunities to work in urban planning, spanning various fields and disciplines:
- Urban Planner
- Town Planner
- Land-use Planner
- Regional Planner
- Local Authority Planner
- Transportation Planner
- Urban regeneration
- Master Planner
- Real Estate Developer
- Economic Development
- Housing Provider
- Public Realm Designer
- Conservation
To learn more about the role of Urban Planners and the variety of careers available in this profession, take a look at our job profiles.
Next steps
Join the movement of professionals shaping our future communities
If you would like to embark on a career in urban planning, our MSc Urban Planning and Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Apprenticeship can provide you with the knowledge, academic underpinning and technical expertise the industry needs. Find out more below: