Planning as a Career
Planners link knowledge and action in ways that improve public and private development decisions which affect people, places and the environment. To do this planners must have knowledge and experience in a wide range of topics. As a planner, you may:
- recommend policy and guidelines on land use, environmental conservation, housing, and transportation;
- do research and prepare reports on demographic, economic, cultural, social and environmental issues;
- review proposals for development to ensure that they follow regulations and generally accepted planning practice;
- prepare plans for developing private lands, providing public spaces and services and maintaining and improving the environment;
- answer questions from the public on planning policies and procedures;
- speak before public meetings or formal hearings;
- consult with landowners, interest groups and citizens.
Planning jobs can vary widely, and can have many differing job titles, such as:
- city planner
- community development officer
- conflict resolution mediator/negotiator
- economic development officer
- environmental planner
- geographic information system planner
- heritage coordinator
- housing analyst
- industrial planner
- land use planner
- municipal planner
- planning director
- planning consultant
- policy analyst
- recreation and park planner
- regional planner
- resource development officer
- social planner
- strategic planner
- transportation planner
- urban designer
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