Urban planners develop plans for long-term land use by communities. They
analyze physical, demographic, environmental, economic, political and sociological
factors that can affect land use.
Governmental authorities and public interest groups consult urban planners
when deciding how to develop their community.
Urban planners prepare plans for both public and private spaces with the
aim of maintaining or improving the human environment. They may work for the
government or be contracted by clients.
There is a high level of responsibility in this career, as urban planners
decide the future nature of urban communities.
According to the American Planning Association, planners must be technically
competent and creative and show an ability to envision alternatives to the
physical and social environments in which we live. It is also important that
planners work closely with the public to develop a combined vision of the
future.
Although a planner's usual hours of work are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., extra hours
are logged in the evenings for meetings with city councils and other groups.
Planners spend most of their work time inside -- but occasionally have to
visit sites inspecting the land.