Urban Planning

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Urban Planning

  • As an urban planner, you will focus on developing new communities, as well as redeveloping older communities.
  • You will organize projects and figure out the best place to put houses, stores, and parks. You will likely be involved in developing the plans for cities, towns, and neighborhoods using different technical and geographical information.
  • To be successful in urban planning and project coordination you will need to be able to work well with others.

Career Paths

  • Urban Planning is an interdisciplinary field closely related to civil engineering. While transportation engineering “deals with the planning, design, construction and operation of transportation systems,” urban planners focus on the future development and use of land at all levels, as well as the infrastructure, regulations and finances that keep cities healthy, vibrant and sustainable.
  • Urban planners work with civil engineers to envision the future of cities, regions and the state. While most urban planners are not civil engineers, it’s important that they understand their interconnected issues. Students trained in both fields are in high demand.
  • Urban planners often specialize in a number of areas focusing on the transportation system, the environment, natural resources, parks, finances, and communities. The American Planning Association accredits a number of specialty programs at the bachelors and master’s degree levels.
  • Civil engineers may also obtain a master’s degree in planning and become certified as a professional planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Where to Study