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Urban and Regional Planner

Also known as Planner, Town Planner and Urban Designer.

Urban and regional planners develop policies and plans for the use of land and resources.

They advise on the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of particular localities or regions as they relate to the built environment and the community.

They also work on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links.

Planning is a broadly based discipline and it is possible to specialise in a wide range of fields, including strategic planning, urban design, environmental impact assessment, residential planning, commercial and industrial planning, heritage planning, tourism planning and social planning.

Planners work closely with professionals in other fields (such as surveying, urban design, architecture, engineering, environment and conservation, property development, community services and transport planning).

There is a high level of public contact as planners spend a lot of time in meetings and discussions.

Time is also spent on field visits, writing reports and performing research.

Planners are required to prepare documentation of decisions for independent review and are often called upon to appear as expert witnesses before appeal hearings.

TASKS

Urban and regional planners may perform the following tasks:

develop long-range objectives to cope with growth and change, in consultation with affected communities
perform surveys and site inspections
compile and analyse information on physical, economic, social, legal, political, cultural and environmental factors which affect land use
discuss plans with local communities, private companies and government organisations
consider new developments or re-developing areas and advise state and local governments about planning issues for projects such as new suburbs, transportation links, industrial estates, retail complexes and housing developments
draw up plans for development or re-development and evaluate proposals in terms of benefits and costs, recommending how schemes can be carried out
prepare urban and rural subdivision plans, taking into account various land uses, including residential, public open space, schools and shops
prepare and coordinate economic, social and environmental impact studies
provide evidence for appeals in planning disputes
consult with, and act as an advocate for, community groups or developers
assist developers to obtain planning permits
design strategies to guide land and resource use and development in particular locations
recommend a course of action that ensures local and regional needs will be met, by taking into account factors such as amenity, community facilities, access to employment, retail housing and transport
supervise and work with associates and technicians

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

interested in social, economic, environmental and cultural issues
good oral and written communication skills
able to produce detailed and accurate work
good analytical and problem-solving skills

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Transportation Planner - balances public and private transport to avoid congestion in cities.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become an urban and regional planner you usually have to study urban, regional or environmental planning at university. You may also consider other degrees that emphasise related fields such as architecture, economics, environmental management or science, geography and sociology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in relevant areas.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

Degree studies in urban and regional planning are necessary for professional recognition by the Planning Institute of Australia.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The majority of urban and regional planners work in metropolitan areas and regional centres. However, the number of opportunities available in country areas is growing. Some consultant planners have government and private-sector clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Urban and regional planners work in state, territory and local governments and there are also opportunities for employment in specialised consulting practices or financial and real estate institutions. Planners may also assist in conservation and development issues for large resource projects. Within the public sector there is a clear career structure. The private sector is more varied, however, and there are opportunities for planners to work in many areas, including environmental planning, social planning, economic development, urban design, transport planning and planning law.