Urban and Regional Planners

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expects the overall demand for urban and regional planners will grow by 11 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, through 2029. Communities turn to professional planners for help in meeting demands resulting from urbanization and the growth in population. The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 has also affected urban and regional planning, with increased attention being paid to creating a safe environment for people to move freely in public spaces. Urban and regional planners are needed to zone and plan land use for undeveloped and rural areas as well as commercial development in rapidly growing suburban areas. Urban planners will be needed to develop revitalization projects within cities and to address problems that stem from population growth, population diversity, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity. Planners will also be needed in suburban areas and municipalities to tackle issues affected by population changes, such as housing needs and transportation systems.