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How would I go about becoming an Urban City Planner?

What path did you take to become a city planner?
What do you love/hate about your job?
Any other advice?

career-path community event-planning urban-planning urban-design city-planning
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Martha’s Answer

This is an interesting question, Christina. It seems that there are two paths to an urban planning career - engineering or public policy - maybe ideally a combination of both. Similarly, you could take an urban planning education in different directions, such as environment, transportation, housing, or economic development.

While I don't do policy work now, I have two degrees in it and my earlier career was focused on it. It was satisfying to address issues I could see and feel that I was making peoples' lives easier or better. It was a bit frustrating at times dealing with cumbersome rules or processes. I still enjoy policy work, but my career branched into education policy and then directly into education.

I put two links below about urban planning education and career prospects. Good luck!

Martha recommends the following next steps:

Indeed.com - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-urban-planner
Green Build - https://www.usgbc.org/professionals/green-careers/urban-planner
Thank you comment icon Thank you for responding! Do you mind if I ask what is your favorite project that you've worked on? Christina
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! It has been many years since I was on a project, but my daughter is working on reclaiming vacant and deteriorated properties for housing and public art. What she is doing is so creative and great for the community! Martha Kramer
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