Urban planning is an incredibly important facet of everyone’s daily lives.
The intrinsic rewards and the amount of self-satisfaction one gets from a career in urban planning are invaluable.
It is the perfect career path for anyone that dreams of making tangible and impactful contributions to their community, and enjoys the intricacies of what goes into everyday life.
What Is Urban Planning Exactly?
Regional planning, also known as town planning, city planning, or rural planning, is a technical and political process that focuses on the creation and design of land use and built environment, such as air, water, and infrastructure, entering and exiting urban areas.
Traditionally, city planning has been conducted in a top-down manner, with the goal of arranging human settlements on a physical basis.
The major worry was for public well-being, which included factors such as efficiency, sanitation, protection, and exploitation of natural resources, as well as planning the impact on social and economic activities.
Urban planning has evolved to place a premium on the social and environmental bottom lines, which emphasize planning as a tool for promoting human health and well-being while also ensuring sustainability.
What Occupations Are Offered in Urban Planning?
Listed below, we have compiled and detailed six of the top professions that fall under the urban planning category, what they do exactly, and how much each profession makes.
Just a heads up, every career on this list requires at least four years plus of higher education, like a bachelor’s degree, and relevant experience.
1. Urban Planner
Why Become an Urban Planner?
Urban Planners develop plans for new schools, roadways, public transportation alternatives, and public housing in order to help meet the needs of their communities.
They also function in environmental roles such as developing resources and conserving ecologically sensitive areas.
Urban planners make an average salary of $77,750 a year, or $37.38 an hour.
Typical projects these professionals work on include traffic congestion, commercial development, housing construction, the environment, transportation systems, land use and development, historic preservation, and regeneration.
| Urban Planner Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 12.8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Urban Planner
2. Architect
Why Become an Architect?
Architects are people who have been educated in the practice of architecture.
They originate ideas for structures and then turn those concepts into images and plans, which may become houses, offices, or other buildings.
Their work entails more than simply the aesthetics of a building.
Architects make an average salary of $89,560 a year, or $43.06 an hour.
Architects have a hectic schedule.
They must interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including consumers, coworkers, site managers, and building contractors.
Some architects will simply generate preliminary designs and blueprints for a client; others will maintain involvement with the project until it is completed.
It implies communicating with building contractors to ensure that plans are carried out as well as making any ongoing changes in plans.
| Architect Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Architect
3. Landscape Architect
Why Become a Landscape Architect?
Landscape architects develop aesthetically beautiful and useful public parks, gardens, playgrounds, residential areas, university campuses, and public spaces.
They also decide on the sites for buildings, roads, pathways, flowers, bushes, and trees in these settings.
Landscape architects make an average salary of $73,970 a year, or $35.56 an hour.
A landscape architect may be asked to do anything from assessing a brief from clients to developing initial plans and concepts, putting together a design, making adjustments to an early project, ensuring that building and safety regulations are followed, and considering the environmental effect of a business.
| Landscape Architect Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 4% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Landscape Architect
4. Civil Engineer
Why Become a Civil Engineer?
Major transportation projects, such as bridges, railways, and intermodal facilities are all the work of civil engineers.
Civil engineers design, build, supervise, operate, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in both the public and private sectors, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dam sites, bridges, sewage treatment facilities, and systems for the community’s water supply.
Civil Engineers make an average salary of $94,360 a year, or $45.36 an hour.
To assist in the design of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects, civil engineers must have a thorough knowledge of the field.
Civil engineers are responsible for researching new projects, estimating budgets for projects including materials and labor, creating blueprints for new developments, assessing the environmental impact of new construction, supervising construction; communicating with coworkers, customers, and individuals.
| Civil Engineer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Civil Engineer
5. Building Inspector
Why Become a Building Inspector?
Inspectors verify that structures, highways and streets, sewage and water systems, dams, bridges, and other facilities are in compliance with building codes and laws.
Inspectors make sure that buildings, modifications, or repairs follow all applicable building codes and local by-laws.
Building inspectors make an average salary of $64,390 a year, or $30.96 an hour.
Construction and building inspectors may work for a private or public organization, with approximately 11% of construction and building inspectors self-employed.
Many inspectors have full-time shifts on weekdays and regular business hours.
To keep up with demand, there might be some extended hours during peak construction times.
| Building Inspector Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 7% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Building Inspector
6. Drafter
Why Become a Drafter?
Drafters create technical drawings and plans.
Drafters utilize computer software to convert architects’ and engineers’ designs into technical drawings.
The majority of drafting professionals specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and utilize technical drawing software to aid the design of everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Drafters make an average salary of $58,080 a year, or $27.92 an hour.
Many drafters are not required to have a license, but some employers do demand that applicants be certified.
The American Design Association ADDA administers the Drafter Certification Test.
Candidates are subjected to a range of topics, including job drawings, drafting ideas, geometric construction, architectural terms, and standards.
Candidates who seek certification demonstrate an aptitude for drafting principles and procedures as well as the potential to show employers their skills.
| Drafter Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 0% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Drafter
