Urban, Regional & Land Use Planners
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions. They are employed by all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or may work as private consultants. (National Occupational Classification)
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - U.S. resource for occupational descriptions and information
- OCCinfo from alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- A Day in the Life of a City Planner - from The Princeton Review
- Land Use Planner - career profile from ECO Canada
- Environment Planner - career profile with featured role model from ECO Canada
- Choosing the Planning Profession - American Planning Association (APA)
- About Planning - from the Canadian Institute of Planners
- What Can You Do with an Urban Planning Degree? - video from Michigan State University
- Let's Talk Science - Career Profile: Urban Planner
Education
This occupation is not regulated in Manitoba but a voluntary designation is available through the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (Canadian Institute of Planners) in collaboration with the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute. A bachelor's degree in disciplines such as urban and regional planning, geography, architecture or engineering is required. A master's degree may be required and membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is often required.
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities. The University of Manitoba offers a graduate degree in City Planning, accredited by the Professional Standards Board.
Exploring Other Education Options
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Winnipeg region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupational Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- Canada's Best Jobs 2019: Urban Planner (#78) - Canadian Business magazine
- How booming cities made Urban Planning Canada's hottest job - article on 2016 ranking of Urban Planner (#2) on Canadian Business Top 25 jobs list
- Occupational Projection Summaries - 2017-2026 (Canadian Occupational Projection System)
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network!
- Canadian Institute of Planners
- Manitoba Professional Planners Institute (MPPI)
- American Planning Association (U.S.)
- International Society of City and Regional Planners
- National Aboriginal Land Managers Association - Land Use Planning Unit
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Association of Manitoba Municipalities - members
- Consultants in Manitoba - directory of firms advertising with MPPI
- Canadian Community Economic Development Network - directory of consultants
- Dexigner - directory of urban planning companies, consultancies and organizations
- World Winters' City Association for Mayors
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience:
- Associations and Student Groups - listing from the U of M Faculty of Architecture
- Indigenous Planning- Canadian Institute of Planners
- Jane Jacobs Walks - Walk, Observe, Connect
- 2017 Manitoba Land Use Planning Gathering, Conference and Trade Show
- spacing - Canadian Urbanism Uncovered
- Provincial Planning Resource Guides & Publications - Manitoba Government
- SIA Hub - For Social Impact Assessment Practitioners
- Planetizen - News blog
- Great Places in Canada - awards from the Canadian Institute of Planners
- The Royal Town Planning Institute (UK)
- Integrated Community Sustainability Planning (ICSP) - BC Climate Action Toolkit
- Achieving a Sustainable Future: A Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) for Canada- sustainable development planning and reporting by the Government of Canada