Urban Planning

The country is becoming more urban as city populations grow at a rapid rate. Accommodations must be made so that citizens can efficiently commute to and from their homes, jobs and favorite places of interest. Urban planners make a career out of improving their cities’ environments for their respective populations. In the major, students become familiar with theories of planning, planning processes and strategies for implementation. They learn how to deal with transportation systems, land use, zoning urban design, and economical and political environments. Once in the profession, they must become familiar with the culture of their respective cities. Consideration must be given to the sensitivities of the past while planning the necessities of the future. Courses commonly relate to field geography, urban geography, historic preservation, principles of geographic information systems, site planning and zoning.

Most urban planners work in government: 66 percent are employed by local governments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, many are also employed by private planning firms. They work in a variety of cities and suburbs across the nation – large and small. Urban planners enjoy the city life and culture, and strive to improve it by putting their wide range of skills to use. The field will be ripe with opportunity in the near future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 19 percent growth through 2018, which is faster than average. Because urban planners are essential to the function of our society, they receive competitive salary compensation when compared to other professions. The top 10 percent get paid just less than $100,000 per year.