Urban planner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Urban planners work with local governments to formulate plans for the short- and long-term growth and renewal of urban and suburban communities. They study economic, environmental, and social trends and problems to determine the best use of land and resources. In developing their plan for a community (whether commercial, residential or recreational) urban planners must consider issues such as air pollution, traffic congestion, legislation and zoning codes. They are usually hired by local governments to assist in the large-scale planning of public housing, school buildings and public transportation systems.
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, where ever you are within the UK a town and country planner will have at sometime planned the built aspects of the environment. They grant planning commission to private builders and corporations and also aid local government with their decisions.
[edit] 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,
Statutory Planners
Strategic Planners
Regional Planners
Metropolitan Planners
Transport Planners
Urban Designers
Environmental Planners
Economic Development Planners
Social Planners
Tourism Planners
Planning Barristers
Development Planners
Infrastructure Planners
Open Space Planners
Neighbourhood Planners
Regeneration Planners
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.
