An urban planner is a professional who works in the field of urban planning for the purpose of maximizing the effectiveness of a community's infrastructure and development. They formulate plans for the management of urban and suburban areas, typically analyzing land use compatibility as well as economic, environmental and social trends. In developing their plan for a community (whether commercial, residential, agricultural, natural or recreational) urban planners must also consider a wide array of issues such as sustainability, air pollution, traffic congestion, crime, land values, legislation and zoning codes.
Urban planners are usually hired by developers, private property owners, private planning firms and local/regional governments to assist in the large-scale planning of communal and commercial developments, as well as public facilities and transportation systems. Urban planners in the public role often assist the public and serve as valued technical advisors in the myriad web of the community's political environment. Related disciplines include regional, city, environmental, transportation, housing, and community planning.
Urban Planners by country
Australia
Urban planners in Australia typically graduate from a Planning Institute Australia (PIA) certified course provided by universities across all states and territories. Such courses are typically Bachelors degrees of four years duration, although there are also Masters degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas available.
Mexico
Urban planners in Mexico typically graduate from an Architecture background provided by major universities in the country. Most of such degrees can be awarded at Masters' graduate studies, although there are also Bachelors degrees available.
United Kingdom
Those wishing to be a town or country planner, in the United Kingdom, first must complete a degree in a relevant discipline and then complete a final year in the form of a masters in town and country planning which must be accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or a four year degree encapsulating all aspects. they can then become eligible to be a member of the RTPI, but must first complete two years work based training, to be a full member.
Town planners in the UK are responsible for all aspects of the built environment, wherever you are within the UK a town and country planner will have at sometime planned the built aspects of the environment. They (Local Planning Authorities) grant planning commission (consent) to individuals, private builders and corporations and also aid local government with their decisions.
United States
Planners in the U.S. typially complete an undergraduate or graduate degree from a University offering the program of study. Certification is often offered through the only nationally recognized organization, The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). AICP certification is not necessary to practice planning. However, there are rigorous requirement to sit for the AICP exam, including college degree and documented experience in planning practice. Passing the AICP exam is also challenging. Therefore, a Planner holding an AICP designation, provides assurance of the qualifications to provide competent professional Planning Services.
Specialisations
With diversification and changes to the planning scene, the scope of planners have also undergone a sort of metamorphosis with the introduction of different specialisations of planners. The list includes, but is not limited to,
All planners deal with land use, space and place, but provide different viewpoints towards the planning of the built environment. For instance, in planning for a neighbourhood centre, the economic development planner would suggest locations that are economically viable and would be subjected to a steady flow of potential customers. He or she would analyse statistics and projections like the floor-space needed, where the customers are to be drawn from, location of competitors and so forth. The urban designer will come in and suggest principles that make the neighbourhood centre 'liveable', including how to ensure safety in design, design guidelines for developers, and so forth. The infrastructure and transport planner would ensure the efficient provision of basic infrastructure services, including water, electricity and sewerage needed for the smooth running of the businesses, as well as plan for basic public transport services or delineate out cycling paths.
See also
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