What Planners Do

Planners are involved in a variety of activities that shape the future of communities, the quality of the environment, and the character of daily life. Planning is a highly interdisciplinary activity at the juncture of the social sciences, sciences, design, and technical professions. The goal of a planner is to bring these backgrounds together to meet the challenges of improving and preserving the quality of life and the quality of the environment in urban and rural areas.

Master's level planning programs typically attract students with diverse academic backgrounds such as geography, engineering, architecture, science, design, political science, environmental science, computer science, and law.

In their work for government, planners engage and motivate the public, help develop a wide range of policies affecting the character and potential of rural and urban areas, and act as guardians of the environment and the heritage of communities. Working as consultants or specialists in the private sector, planners undertake a wide variety of tasks ranging from physical design to the creation of strategies for sustainable development or “smart growth”.

Limited resources and an ever growing population gives rise to the need for more specially trained planners. Planners work throughout the world from the heart of Canada's towns and cities to the fields and villages of the Third World.

What kind of planners are there?

• urban planner
• environmental planner
• community designer
• rural planner
• regional planner
• housing planner
• urban designer
• transportation planner
• community development planner
• landscape planner
• heritage planner
• open space planner
• city planner
• town planner
• social planner

Revised 15 March 2006