The Library Occupations Urban and regional planners Nature of the Work Urban and regional planners, often called community or city planners, develop programs to provide for growth and revitalization of urban, suburban, and rural communities and their regions.
Planners help local officials make decisions on social, economic, and environmental problems.
Planners usually devise plans outlining the best use of a community's land-where residential, commercial, recreational, and other human services should take place. Planners also are involved in various other planning activities, including social services, transportation, and resource development. They address such issues as central city redevelopment, traffic congestion, air pollution, and the impact of growth and change on an area. They formulate capital improvement plans to construct new school buildings, public housing, and sewage systems. Planners are involved in environmental issues including pollution control, wetland preservation, and landfills.