No two cities are exactly alike. Every town, city, and urban area has its unique layout, features, and population.
Unlike a city manager, a city planner doesn’t manage a city’s day-to-day operations. But they must understand how the different parts of a city fit and work together.
Read on to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a city planner, as well as steps to become a city planner. We’ll also illustrate how meeting management software improves city planning and governance.
What is a City Planner?
City planners are responsible for overseeing the planning and development of cities—from deciding where residential homes should be located to determining where to build a new park or shopping center. It’s a vital job that requires a solid understanding of urban landscapes, public policy, and economics.
Roles and Responsibilities
Like any public administration role, a city planner’s duties may vary depending on the size and scope of their project. But typically, they’re responsible for researching, developing, and implementing strategies designed to improve the quality of life in a given area.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Land Use Planning
Every city needs to determine where to locate its residential homes, businesses, industrial areas, and other facilities. City planners must consider how these different land uses interact and how new developments may affect a city’s infrastructure.
- Transportation Planning
City planners often need to plan for transportation systems such as bus routes, bike lanes, and walkways. They must consider how traffic patterns may change due to new projects or proposed developments.
- Environmental Sustainability
Cities need to be mindful of their environmental impact. City planners must research the effects of development and recommend ways to reduce pollution and other forms of environmental degradation.
- Economic Development
What revenue sources and businesses will bring in money to a city? City planners must consider the economic impact of proposed developments and review proposals from other organizations.
- Community Development
City planners must ensure residents and other stakeholders have a say in how their cities are developed. For example, during a city council meeting, they may need to present the public opinion survey results or explain how proposed developments will affect local communities.
Pay and Notoriety
A city planner holds an influential public administration role, and their efforts must be rewarded. Per the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for urban and city planners is $79,540.
City planners are often invited to participate in government meetings, present proposals to city councils, and even appear on television programs or other media outlets.
How to Become a City Planner
Becoming a city planner requires an understanding of planning, public policy, economics, and urban design. Here are some steps you can take to become a city planner:
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
You typically need a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, environmental science, or a related field to become a city planner. This four-year degree program will help you develop an understanding of the various aspects of city planning and development.
- Seek an Internship
Internships are an excellent way to gain experience and develop your skills in city planning. You can apply for internships at local government offices, consulting firms, or non-profit organizations specializing in urban planning.
- Network
The connections you make in the field of city planning are just as essential as your degree. Attend conferences, join professional societies, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in city planning. Networking will also help you find job opportunities.
- Obtain a Master’s Degree (Optional)
For more advanced positions, most employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in urban planning or related fields. Courses such as urban design, land use management, public policy analysis, and transportation planning will help you develop the skills and knowledge to be successful in city planning.
- Build a Portfolio and Resume
Creating a portfolio and resume will help you stand out from other applicants. Your portfolio should include projects you have worked on, awards, internships, and any relevant experience. Your resume should be concise and well-written. It should also highlight your skills, certifications, and education.
Getting Started with eScribe
As an urban planner, you’ll often need to write a motion for a city council meeting, create a presentation for a public forum, or draft an analysis of proposed zoning regulations.
eScribe, an end-to-end meeting management platform, provides the necessary tools to help you work efficiently in your city planning work. Using our professional templates and easy-to-use features, you can work collaboratively and make an impact in your community.
Some of the key eScribe features include:
- Meeting Manager: Bid farewell to printing and chasing papers. Collaborate, create, tweak, and share meeting materials from a one-stop digital platform.
- Meeting Minutes: Take minutes right within the software. Assign tasks, monitor attendance, and write without hassles.
- Reporting and Workflows: The seamless approval and submission workflows help you ensure you’ve included everyone, honoring the different ways stakeholders such as city manager vs. the mayor work. Missed deadlines will no longer be an issue.
- Collaboration Tools: Take the chaos out of your collaboration. Stakeholders can even search, download, and review the content of a virtual meeting securely from anywhere. Tracking others’ meeting activities is also a breeze.
In fact, eScribe revolutionized how the City of Greensboro’s Clerk Office handles its meetings. The Greensboro team now enjoys top-notch reliability, usability, and customer service from the eScribe platform.
Dive into the City of Greensboro case study to see how eScribe can work for your city, too.