What can I do with a major in Urban and Regional Planning?
Urban and Regional Planners work to create and implement programs of land development and maintenance for city, county, and regional agencies. They work to facilitate the orderly growth of cities and towns by doing detailed studies, coordinating meetings, preparing reports and mediating between the public and the government. Urban and Regional Planners may work in specific areas such as transportation, housing, preservation, design and environmental protection. They may also work with economic, sociologic and political issues in order to create an effective living environment.
Related Occupations:
| Architect |
City Administrator |
City Manager |
| Civil Engineer |
Civil Servant |
Community Organization Worker |
| Construction Manager |
Corporate Asset Manager |
| Director |
Economic Developer |
Educator |
| Environmental Engineer |
Environmental Policy Analyst |
General Contractor |
| Geographer |
Historic Preservation Worker |
Housing Officer |
| Industrial Engineer |
Land Developer |
Landscape Architect |
| Mortgage Lending Officer |
Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator |
Non-profit Organization Director |
| Political Scientist |
Project Manager |
Property Manager |
| Public Administrator |
Real Estate Appraiser |
Real Estate Broker |
| Survey Worker |
Urban Planner |
Possible employers of Urban and Regional Planning majors:
| Architecture Firms |
Law Firms |
| Private Businesses |
Colleges/Universities |
| Local/Federal Government |
Public Relations Firms |
| Land Developers |
Consulting Firms |
| Banks |
Management Firms |
| Mortgage Companies |
Real Estate Firms |
Skills important for Urban and Regional Planning majors:
- Ability to think logically, quantitatively and spatially
- Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally
- Ability to use computers and other graphic communication tools
- Understanding of urban growth and development
- Understanding of issues such as race relations, poverty, housing, crime and transportation
- Ability to manage the transfer, finance, and operation of real estate ventures
Personal attributes important for Urban and Regional Planning majors:
- Flexible
- Creative
- Objective
- Good interpersonal skills
- Take initiative
- Adaptable
- Assertive
- Patient
- Tactful
Related activities for Urban and Regional Planning majors:
- Do an internship
- Join a student or professional association
- Take courses in areas related to your career goals
- Attend urban planning workshops, lectures, meetings, or conferences
- Work Part time or volunteer in city or community government offices, architectural firms, or construction firms
- Work as a planning aide in a planning office
- Work or volunteer in the Engineering / Architecture department of your school
Print Resources:
-
Camenson, Blythe. Opportunities in Landscape Architecture, Botanical Gardens, & Arboreta. VGM Career Horizons, 1999.
-
Hagerty, Joseph & Lewis F. Cohn. Opportunities in Civil Engineering Careers. VGM Career Horizons, 1997.
-
Hagerty, Joseph. Government and Public Service Careers. VGM Career Horizons, 1994.
-
Selden, Annette. VGM's Handbook of Scientific and Technical Careers. VGM Career Horizons, 1994.
-
Stair, Lila B. Careers in Business. VGM Career Horizons, 1998.
Internet Resources:
Professional Associations
- American Institute of Urban & Regional Affairs
- American Planning Association
- Association of American Geographers
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning
This information was adapted from:
