City Planners develop long- and short-term land use plans to provide for growth and revitalization of urban, suburban, and rural communities, while helping local officials make decisions concerning social, economic, and environmental problems.

Employment of city planners is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.

City Planners often confer with land developers, civic leaders, and public officials. They may function as mediators in community disputes and present alternatives acceptable to opposing parties. Planners may prepare material for community relations programs, speak at civic meetings, and appear before legislative committees and elected officials to explain and defend their proposals.

Planners must be able to think in terms of spatial relationships and visualize the effects of their plans and designs. They should be flexible and able to reconcile different viewpoints and to make constructive policy recommendations. The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is necessary for anyone interested in this field.

Most entry-level planning jobs in Federal, State, and local government agencies require a master’s degree in urban or regional planning, urban design, geography, or a similar course of study. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited planning program, coupled with a master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, or civil engineering, is good preparation for entry-level planning jobs in areas such as urban design, transportation, or the environment. A master’s degree from an accredited planning program provides the best training for a number of planning fields.

City Planners often are required to travel to inspect the features of land under consideration for development or regulation, including its current use and the types of structures on it. Although most planners have a scheduled 40-hour workweek, they frequently attend evening or weekend meetings or public hearings with citizens’ groups. Planners may experience the pressure of deadlines and tight work schedules, as well as political pressure generated by interest groups affected by land use proposals.