Urban and Regional Planners

Urban and Regional Planners typically perform the following tasks: • Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation. • Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives. • Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density. • Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans. • Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects. • Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals. • Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use. • Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability. • Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use. • Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations. • Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes. • Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects. • Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs. • Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists. • Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation. • Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems. • Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure. • Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups. • Investigate property availability for purposes of development. • Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.