Urban and land use planners

Example job titles

• community and urban planner
• environmental planner
• land use planner
• municipal planner
• park planner
• planner
• recreation planner
• regional planner
• urban planner

Main duties

• This group performs some or all of the following duties:
• Compile and analyze data on demographic, economic, legal, political, cultural, sociological, physical and other factors affecting land use
• Confer with municipal, provincial and federal authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans
• Prepare and recommend land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks, agricultural and other land uses
• Prepare plans for environmental protection, such as wildlife preserves, national and provincial parks, and protection of watersheds
• Present plans to civic, rural and regional authorities and hold public meetings to present plans, proposals or planning studies to the general public and special interest groups
• Review and evaluate proposals for land use and development plans and prepare recommendations
• Process application for land development permits and administer land use plans and zoning by-laws
• Formulate long-range objectives and policies relative to future land use and the protection of the environment
• Supervise and coordinate work of urban planning technicians and technologists.

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline is required.
• A master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required.
• Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required.
• Urban and land use planners are regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in other provinces.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.

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