Profession urban planner

Urban planners create development plans for towns, urban areas, cities, and regions. They research the needs of the community or the region (economic, social, transport) and evaluate other parameters such as sustainability in order to present solid programs aimed at the improvement of the site.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Green space strategies

  The authority’s vision on how to use its green space. This includes the goals it wants to achieve, the resources, methods, legislative framework, and time needed to meet these goals. 

• Demography

  The scientific field of study that deals with studying the size, structure, and distribution of the human population, and its geographical and temporal changes.

• Building codes

  The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

• Urban planning

  Political and technical process that seeks to design the urban environment and optimize land use by considering various aspects such as infrastructure, water, and green and social spaces.

• Zoning codes

  The division of land into zones where various uses and activities are allowed, such as residential, agricultural, and industrial activities. These zones are regulated by legislative procedures and local authorities.

• Environmental policy

  Local, national and international policies dealing with the promotion of environmental sustainability and the development of projects which reduce negative environmental impact and improve the state of the environment.

• Architecture regulations

  The regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture. 

Skills

• Execute feasibility study

  Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.

• Advise on use of land

  Recommend the best ways to use land and resources. Advise on locations for roads, schools, parks, etc.

• Build business relationships

  Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.

• Use geographic information systems

  Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Liaise with local authorities

  Maintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.

• Meet building regulations

  Communicate with construction inspection, e.g. by submitting schemes and plans, to make sure all construction regulations, laws and codes are dealt with correctly.

• Study human population

  Analyse data about the human population in a specific geographic area in order to uncover trends such as mortality rate, migration, and fertility rates.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB