Planning can take place at many scales from neighborhood to city, region or global.
Planners are concerned with defining problems and creating alternatives to help solve or mitigate some of these problems. The process of problem definition as well as problem solving is complex since the needs of all aspects of the natural and built environments must be considered. Often Planners are involved with mediating between neighborhood groups, developers, environmental groups, and local and state elected officials. For example, in issues of resource management the planner might be the lead person or the facilitator between scientists, local residents and a business person, interest groups and government officials. The focus of the planning option in the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado includes community development, urban planning, regional planning, and natural resource planning.