Urban and Regional Planners develop programs to provide for future growth and renewal of urban, suburban, and rural communities. They assist regional, state, federal, and local governmental officials, public institutions, and private firms, in the solution of social, economic, and environmental problems. They study problems connected with such things as land use, transportation and parking, water and sewage systems, housing, community facilities, industry, and commerce.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Urban and Regional Planners may:

Prepare detailed studies and data to show the current use of land for housing, commerce, agriculture, forestry, recreation and community purposes (by hand or by using computer programs developed for this purpose)

Present reports which indicate the arrangement of streets, highways, water and sewer lines, and locations of schools, libraries, recreational facilities and area which preserve sensitive environments

Provide information on industry, population, employment, and economic trends in the community

Prepare reports on data, costs, and how programs can be carried out and the appropriate cost

Devise alternative solutions to problems

Discuss proposals with government officials, civic groups, land developers, and the news media

Oversee plans as they are put into action

Review and adjust policies and programs as conditions change

Assist in the preparation of zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations

Develop land and growth management programs

Utilize computer software programs for statistical planning information, project management, or cost analysis

Prepare maps and display locational information using hand or computerized geographic information systems

Initiate and facilitate broad-based public input into planning and related policy decisions

Begin Planners may draw actual plans, make surveys, or compile statistics to show present conditions and trends. Experienced Planners may outline proposed studies, write reports, design the physical layout of large developments, recommend policy, or perform other tasks which require judgment and decision making.

The tools and equipment used by Urban and Regional Planners may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Urban and Regional Planners who specialize may call themselves by their specialty, such as recreation, transportation, health, or land use planner. They may specialize in the following areas:

199.167-014 URBAN PLANNERS develop programs to provide for future

growth and renewal of urban, suburban, and rural communities. They assist local governmental officials and public institutions, such as colleges and universities, in the solution of social, economic, and environmental problems. They study problems connected with such things as land use, transportation and parking, water and sewage systems, housing, community facilities, industry, and commerce. Beginning Planners may draw actual plans, make surveys, or compile statistics to show present conditions and trends. Experienced Planners may outline proposed studies, write reports, design the physical layout of large developments, recommend policy, or perform other tasks which require judgement and decision making.

188.167-110 PROGRAM SERVICES PLANNERS conduct studies, prepare reports, and advise public and private sector administrators concerning special projects or programs. They review plans and proposals submitted by other governmental planning commissions or private organizations to assist in the formulation of overall plans for a region.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it useful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Urban Planners may work alone or as members of a team, under general supervision. Senior Planners may supervise Planners and other staff members. They may work with a variety of other professionals and other specialists.

Urban Planners usually work indoors in clean, well lighted offices.

Planners generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Most spend many evening hours at meetings with contractors, the public, and government officials. They may work additional hours to meet project deadlines. Planners may receive compensatory time off for extra working hours.

Travel may be involved, particularly if the Planner is responsible for a region. Field surveys are often necessary in order to collect data for projects. Urban and Regional Planners also have to travel to attend meetings and visit proposed or actual building sites.

Many Planners choose to belong to professional associations such as The American Planning Association (APA) and its subsidiary, The American Institute of Certified Planners. They may also belong to The Urban Land Institute, The National Association of County Planning Directors, or The American Society of Consulting Planners. Association members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving communication of ideas and information

• Activities which bring recognition from other people

• Activities involving business contact with people

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures as solid objects

• See detail in objects and drawings

• Recognize differences in shapes or shadings

• Analyze complex problems and develop imaginative solutions

• Rate information by using personal judgment

• Tolerate the stress of delays, compromises, and arguments

• Express ideas clearly both orally and in written reports

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Minimum open space required is based on actual residential floor area used. Assuming that the full 100,000 square ft. of a residential floor area is used, application of the 8.0 open space ratio for LUI 3.0 calls for how much square ft of open space?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

In the zoning law the governing body may desire to set apart classes of special exceptions and variances most likely to affect the comprehensive plan for study and recommendations by the planning agency before final action can be taken by the board of adjustment.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written proposal for a city park specifying projected costs and plans of action.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in developing plans and programs for future urban and rural growth.

To use the title "Professional Community Planner," a person must be registered with the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services. Applicants for registration must pass a 2-part written examination and have at least 6 years of planning experience. A minimum of 2 years of related experience in the United States is mandatory; however, education may be substituted for planning experience.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

/careers/0,1607,7-170-22526_23422-64454--,00.html0 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1900 HISTORY , 2300 METALS , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

174 URBAN & REGIONAL PLANNING

Programs in Urban and Regional Planning provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment helping communities develop programs for growth and renewal. Urban and Regional Planners help solve problems related to land use, transportation, parking, water and sewage systems, and housing.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

              Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Work-study programs for urban and regional planning students are available in some universities. Part-time, volunteer, or summer work in a planning office is required for some graduate students and might be helpful to others also. Attending public planning commission meetings will provide exposure to problems facing Urban and Regional Planners.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Urban and Regional Planner employer

internships

volunteer work with a Urban and Regional Planner employer

community service work with an agency

Government agencies typically require a master's degree and passing a civil service examination to qualify for employment. Employment after a bachelor's degree could be in architectural firms, construction firms, or consulting firms where experience to qualify as a Planner could be obtained. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites.

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

JobOptions

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Urban and Regional Planners depend on their education, experience, level of responsibility, and on the size and type of employer. Salaries tend to be higher in relatively large cities and counties with large populations. Planners with a masters degree earn higher salaries.

Nationally, the median annual earnings of urban planners were $39,572 in 1998. Recent college graduates with bachelor's degrees who accepted positions in Urban and Regional Planning received average salary offers of $27,415 in late 1998.

In the Federal Government, Community Planners may start at the GS-5 level which had a beginning annual salary of $20,588 in 1999. They may eventually advance to the GS-12 level, which had an annual starting salary of $45,236 in 1999. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Urban Planners working for local government in Michigan had annual salaries (1999) of:

Many small communities retain the services of Urban Planners who are consultants or who work only part time.

Planning Specialists employed by the State of Michigan earned from $35,120 to $55,541 yearly (1999). Some Planners earn extra income by writing, consulting, or part-time teaching.

Most Urban Planners receive paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, group life and health insurance, and pension plans.

Advancement may be based on experience, education, and ability to handle responsible assignments. A move to a large city where problems are more complex and responsibilities are greater than in small communities may also be a move upward. Advancement in government jobs may depend on passing a civil service examination at a particular level. Most government agencies prefer to hire those with a master's degree in urban and regional planning or the equivalent in experience.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 29,400 Urban and Regional Planners were employed in 1996. Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 3.2% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Urban and Regional Planners looked like this:

They worked for private consulting firms, colleges and universities, metropolitan regional planning organizations, land developers, architectural and construction companies, and community improvement groups. These planners are frequently self-employed consultants, who may be represented in greater numbers than the above percentages suggest.

Most openings will occur as Planners retire, die, or transfer to other occupations. Competition will be keen because the number of qualified applicants is apt to exceed the number of openings. However, Planning graduates in environmental, energy, and economic planning; land use planning in underdeveloped and non-metropolitan areas; or transportation systems will be most in demand. Also, employment opportunities will vary by region, and will be best in rapidly growing areas of the country, such as California and Virginia, and in areas undergoing preservation and redevelopment. States that have mandated planning such as Maine and Florida require more Planners.

Approximately 700 Urban and Regional Planners are employed in Michigan. (This figure may be lower than the actual number of Planners in Michigan.) There are many professional Planners who are administrators, directors, entry-level draftsmen and technicians who are not counted in this figure). Most were employed in urban areas.

Employment of Urban and Regional Planners in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 30 annual openings is expected through the year 2005, with 10 due to growth and 20 due to replacement of Planners who retire, die, or leave the labor force.

Private sector employment of Planners presents the greatest growth in job opportunities. Employers such as banks, insurance agencies, financial institutions, developers, real estate firms and non-profit institutions see the advantages of hiring Planners. Public sector employment particularly in the suburbs, will also provide some new employment openings. New Planners may find it easier to obtain employment in small towns rather than the larger cities.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development