How to Become an Urban Planner
At first glance, urban planning may appear to involve only constructing cities, but it’s much more than that. While municipal growth and sustainability are important elements, effective urban planning also strives to optimize a community’s quality of life. Economic growth, sustainability and population health can all be improved by planning strategies that address challenges to city development before they arise.
With the right educational background and experience, becoming an urban planner can be a rewarding way to contribute to your community and make a lasting impact.
What Does an Urban Planner Do?
Before asking how to become an urban planner, it’s important to define the role. Urban planners create programs and strategies to help communities develop land and infrastructure in ways that provide the greatest benefit to residents. They collaborate with developers, government officials and residents to gather data and understand a region’s developmental needs and potential hazards. Using this data, urban planners can make informed recommendations about short- and long-term projects of various sizes, including:
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Park and green space development and access
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Affordable housing expansion
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Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure
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Historic landmark preservation
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Public transportation development
As urban planners develop their plans, they must adhere to legal regulations, such as building codes and zoning restrictions. This requires considerable initial research to identify existing rules, as well as monitoring new laws as they’re enacted while projects progress.
Urban planners typically have larger goals in mind when designing their projects, such as improving a city’s walkability to reduce the carbon footprint. What’s more, projects involving flood management and disaster preparedness may arise from the need to mitigate the potential future impacts of extreme weather or rising sea levels.
Urban planners usually work in local or state government. However, they can also find work in the architectural, engineering or technical service fields. While they typically work in offices, they also spend significant time on project sites to oversee developments.
Steps to Becoming an Urban Planner
While no single path to becoming an urban planner exists, the steps below can help make candidates more appealing to employers.
Education Requirements
Urban planners are typically required to have at least a bachelor’s degree. While majors in fields such as public policy and civil engineering can offer students specific expertise, general degrees such as sociology and liberal arts can also help students develop the essential skills to succeed in the field. Some employers prefer graduates of certified planning programs, and senior and managerial positions often require an advanced degree in the field, such as a Master of Urban Planning.
Training and Experience Requirements
Gaining experience in the field is an essential component of becoming an urban planner. Internships and volunteer work can help students develop skills in supervised environments. Entry-level positions in related fields, such as economic planning or community development, can also provide a foundation for a career in urban planning. Experience with geographic information systems technology, programs such as AutoCAD and data analytics is critical to the role.
Certifications and Licensing
It’s common for urban planners to hold at least one certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners after earning a master’s degree. Overseen by the American Planning Association, this certification is designed to serve as further proof of expertise in the field.
New Jersey requires planners to be licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners.
Urban Planner Salary and Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), urban and regional planners earned a median annual salary of $83,720 in 2024. Salaries can depend on factors such as education level, experience, field and region.
The BLS projects positions for urban and regional planners to grow 3% between 2024 and 2034, as fast as the job market as a whole.
Play a Key Role in Building Strong Communities
Understanding how to become an urban planner isn’t just about learning how to develop a city’s infrastructure. It’s about helping communities improve quality of life, attract businesses, and prepare for natural disasters and other challenges.
The online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University can help you establish the foundation you need to explore further education and a career in urban planning. Our program is designed to help you cultivate a well-rounded approach to professional pursuits by focusing on skills you can apply in a range of fields. The 100% online program means that you can balance your academic goals with your work and family obligations.
Find out how North Carolina A&T can prepare you for success.
Recommended Readings
5 Liberal Arts Careers for Liberal Studies Graduates
What Is a Liberal Studies Degree?
Sources:
American Planning Association, One Path to AICP
DigitalBlueFoam, Innovative Urban Planning Concepts for the 21st Century
Indeed, Learn About Being an Urban Planner
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Professional Planners
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Professional Planners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Urban and Regional Planners
We Build Value, “Urban Planning and Sustainable Transportation”