Urban and Regional Planners

Key Responsibilities

• Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
• Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
• Investigate property availability for purposes of development.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints.
• Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.
• Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
• Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
• Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
• Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
• Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
• Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
• Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
• Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.
• Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.
• Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects.
• Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
• Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
• Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.
• Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.
• Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.
• Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.
• Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
• Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
• Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.