Raymond Gaines
Business Law
October 16, 2009
Urban Planning
As populations shift and demographics change, local communities must also change to meet the
needs of citizens. Urban planners are charged with developing both short- and long-term
strategies for land use, growth, and natural resources. Urban planners also provide information
that helps local governments make laws and ordinances that affect the community’s social and
economic standing.
Some of the tasks of urban planning include:
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Determining the effect of terrain and natural resources on land value and land use
Investigating the relationships between industry/business and residential populations
Implementing new technology in utilities, conservation, land management, recycling,
pollution control, and public safety
Advising city government on budgets and tax expenditures
Evaluating the costs and benefits of public transportation, traffic management, and streets
and roads
Advising on zoning issues and developing impact studies and demographic projections
Mapping urban centers (using computer-aided design) and developing urban statistics
Performing impact assessments for architectural development projects such as industrial and
office buildings and housing developments
Advising on preservation of historical areas and natural open spaces
In short, according to the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Planners
develop long-term and short-term plans to use land for the growth and revitalization of urban,
suburban, and rural communities, while helping local officials made decisions concerning social,
economic, and environmental problems.”
Technology plays a large part in the work of urban planning. Computers are used to analyze
information, such as statistics on demographics, natural resources, geography and mapping data.
Databases, spreadsheets, and analytical software is used to prepare cost projections, trends
forecasts for employment and population, and other data used by local governments.
Computerized geographic information systems are used to prepare maps, plot geographic
variables, and to produce comparative and alternative plans for land use and development.
Urban planners have other roles in the community, as well. They may mediate community
disputes by developing and presenting alternatives in building or zoning that will meet the needs
of all parties. They are often very involved with the local elected city government, such as the
city council, in advisory roles and in presenting and defending proposals in public forums.
In large urban areas there is generally a large staff of planners who specialize in certain areas.
Such specializations include transportation, demographics, housing, historic preservation, urban
design, environmental and regulatory issues, and economic development.
Urban planners may spend a great deal of time working in an office; however, they are also often
in the field. They will spend time inspecting land and natural sites, development sites, and
attending community meetings and public hearings.
Local and regional governments are not the only employers of urban planners. Companies that
provide goods and services to communities, such as architectural firms, engineering companies,
utilities, and recycling and waste management companies also employ urban planners.
In 2002 urban and regional planners held approximately 32,000 jobs in the United Sates.