Urban and Land Use Planners

(NOC 2153)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Urban and land use planners study the social, economic, cultural, environmental, political and physical conditions of urban and rural communities, and develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services. They work for all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or may work as private consultants.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 20 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

$17,526

Minimum

$67,506

Median

$109,569

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Urban and land use planners study the social, economic, cultural, environmental, political and physical conditions of urban and rural communities, and develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services. They work for all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or may work as private consultants.

Job duties

Urban and land use planners:

  • Prepare reports on demographic, economic, cultural, social and environmental issues affecting land use.
  • Recommend policy and guidelines on land use, environmental conservation, housing, and transportation.
  • Consult with government, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, citizens and special interest groups to plan and develop land use or community plans.
  • Prepare plans for developing private lands 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 like 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 to make sure they follow regulations and generally accepted planning practice and prepare recommendations.
  • Process applications for land development permits and manage land use plans and zoning by-laws.
  • Make 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.

Sample job titles

  • city planner
  • community planner
  • environmental planner
  • heritage planner - land use
  • land use planner
  • park planner
  • planning analyst
  • recreation planner
  • site planner
  • transportation planner
  • urban planner
  • zoning officer - land use

Skills

  • Planners must be able to balance various private interests with the public interest and identify viable options. To meet increasingly complex urban challenges, planners need to know about land, air and water resources, employment trends, cultural diversity and associated issues, new technologies, and conflict resolution. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is useful.

Job requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline.
  • A master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required.
  • Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required.
  • Membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in some provinces.
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.

Other considerations

  • Movement to management positions in planning is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

255

employed in 2016

88.0%

employed full-time

4.0%

self employed

28.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.6

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

64.6%

Halifax

$60,384 median annual income
20.8%

North Shore

$73,515 median annual income
8.3%

Southern

N/A
6.3%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

58.0%

Public administration

12.0%

Utilities

6.0%

Professional, scientific and technical services

4.0%

Real estate and rental and leasing

4.0%

Construction

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

25-34

24.0%

45-54

22.0%

35-44

16.0%

55-64

6.0%

65+

4.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

44.0%

Master

$69,653 median annual income
42.0%

Bachelor

$60,404 median annual income
8.0%

College Diploma

N/A
4.0%

High school

N/A
4.0%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to apply principles of planning, analysis, and architecture to the development and improvement of urban areas and surrounding regions, and to function as professional planners. They include courses in principles of architecture, master plan development, service, communications, and transportation systems design, community and commercial development, zoning, land use planning, applied economics, policy analysis, applicable laws and regulations, and professional responsibilities and managerial duties.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Sustainability Studies

University Program

These programs focus on the concept of sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. They include courses in sustainable development, environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, economics, natural resources, sociology, and anthropology.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Licensed Professional Planner

Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.

Regulating body:
Licensed Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Atlantic Planners Institute
St. Peter's Bay, PE
Canadian Institute of Planners
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.