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Urban and regional planners develop plans and policies for managing the use of the land and providing the physical facilities and services needed in rural and metropolitan communities and industrial areas.
The Best Of Both Worlds
Unlike many occupations, urban and regional planners often have the opportunity to move back and forth between the private sector and government. Planners who work in the private sector are typically involved in designing the layout of new communities, in rezonings, development applications and appeals. Those employed in the government sector assist local councils in establishing zoning and development controls, in drawing up community development plans and guidelines for various land use projects and in assessing land development proposals.
Urban and regional planners often work closely with architects, engineers, and land surveyors, and consult with property owners and community groups. Excellent communication skills are therefore essential. It is also important to possess an analytical mind, and to be able to make informed decisions about the future as, sometimes, development plans have to be organised years ahead of time.
Turn A Plan Into A Reality
Urban and regional planners prepare and conduct urban design surveys and other studies that assess the impact of economic, social, and environmental factors on specific areas. The information that is collected and analysed enables companies to develop or evaluate land development proposals. It also enables governments and communities to work out what is needed in housing, public open spaces, roads, schools and shops in a particular region or locality.
''Resolving land use conflicts, designing estates, creating new communities or determining the long term future for areas experiencing rapid change make planning one of the most exciting and rewarding professions to be involved in,'' says Jenny Smithson, former State President of the (then) Royal Australian Planning Institute.
Macro Or Micro Level
Planners can specialise in urban design work - the big picture - or in the design of smaller subdivisions. Others become involved in government studies that assess the impact of economic, social, and environmental factors on specific areas. Some may specialise in community consultation or coastal planning, for example. Work within these areas can be sought in state government, with local councils, private consultancies or in development companies.
With extensive experience and a general understanding of business, there are good opportunities for those who wish to go into private consultancy.
A large percentage of an urban and regional planner's work takes place in an office environment with some fieldwork undertaken. Travel to local and interstate locations can be expected when attending meetings, workshops, seminars and various sites. Hours usually tend to be standard office hours, although work may need to be completed on weekends and evenings to meet deadlines or attend council meetings.
The demand for urban and regional planners is currently strong, and there is an undersupply of qualified personnel. Demand has been stimulated in recent years by large scale urban developments in the Perth metropolitan area.
''Town planning is an excellent career for people who have an interest in geography, urban design or the social sciences. The demand for planners is rapidly growing and, for this reason, career prospects are better than for some related professions,'' states Jenny Smithson.
Salaries for those new to the field begin at around $40,000 per year and may go to above $80,000 per annum for experienced personnel. Those in high profile positions, such as the principal of a private practice or a senior executive within government, can earn considerably more, sometimes in the region of $130,000 per annum.
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