Planning as a Career
Professional Planning practitioners work primarily in urban and rural municipal governments and in private sector companies involved in urban and rural land development and land use planning. Professional planners have a a range of professional practice expertise including social services planning, housing, recreation, transportation, policy, regulatory compliance, development finance, project management, urban design, environmental planning (water, air, biodiversity), development approval, area structure planning, urban redevelopment, and community engagement.
Depending upon the circumstances, professional planners may work closely with elected officials, engineers, community associations, private developers, financial managers, consultants, lawyers, and the general public.
The role of planning in the public domain has historically been focused on regulating land development and land use to create economic and social benefits as well as healthy and safe community environments. With the rapid growth in cities internationally, planning practice has also focused on the complexity of growth management including social justice.
Professional Planning education and practice offer a wide range of opportunities and specializations that are international in scope. Challenges to urban and rural populations such as sustainability, climate change adaptation, low impact development, affordable housing, changing technologies and demographics, economic uncertainty, and public health and safety, and innovative forms for future cities impact professional planning practice and offer a wide variety of career opportunities.
For more information please visit the Canadian Institute of Planners website: https://www.cip-icu.ca/Careers-in-Planning/About-Planning