Urban and Regional Planners

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of local jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Job Task

• Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private and public planning projects and programs.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of urban planning technicians and technologists.
• Investigate property availability.
• Design, promote and administer government plans and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and transportation.
• Hold public meetings and confer with government, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans.
• Recommend approval, denial or conditional approval of proposals.
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on projects.
• Assess the feasibility of proposals and identify necessary changes.
• Create, prepare, or requisition graphic and narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.
• Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible alternatives.
• Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies or other research in order to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory and physical factors affecting land use.
• Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, and community use.
• Keep informed about economic and legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Mediate community disputes and assist in developing alternative plans and recommendations for programs or projects.
• Coordinate work with economic consultants and architects during the formulation of plans and the design of large pieces of infrastructure.

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