Job Description
Urban Planning is not a very well known field but it includes a variety topics. Basically we plan and design communities for the future. Urban planning connects and collaborates with different fields and professionals; engineering, transportation, environment, architecture.
The profession was once described to me as designing the spaces between buildings. Planners can work primarily in the real estate and development industry, for governments or consulting. If someone wants to build a home or an apartment they will often hiring a planner to assist in navigating approvals but can design whole subdivisions or mixed use communities.
Often people will notice when construction is happening in their community, planners are involved years before any shovel is in the ground but are instrumental to how are communities look and feel.
Relevant School Subjects
- Business
- Guidance and Career Education
- Social Sciences and Humanities
Areas of Expertise
- Admin/Business
- Building/Construction
- Engineering
- Environment
- Legal
Career Story
My main interests in high school were math and geography. I completed an undergraduate co-op degree at the University of Waterloo and started working for a home builder after graduation. After working for a few years, I decided to switch to a municipality to gain a different perspective.