Previously, urban planning and design services focused on the same matters, such as optimized land use and settlement patterns. The professions also deal with urban vitality, community engagement, and maximized proximity issues. Urban planning and design have gradually become separate entities with urbanization, industrialization, and subsequent social changes. However, they still inevitably have overlapping concerns over living standards in the urban environment.
For example, urban planners emphasize the visual character of a city based on shared community goals, and urban designers are responsible for devising a layout to build the character in question. In the process, both professions must conform to the principles of sustainability that promote resilience against climate change. Although migration to towns and cities has only been a trend for the past 200 years, about two-thirds of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas. Such rapid migration calls for urban planners and urban designers to innovate the constant challenges of the fast-changing landscape.
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Most urban planners in the United States work in two industry groups, including architectural and consulting services, and for the government at local and federal levels. The average annual wage is between $77,000 and $80,000 in the private sector, whereas those working for the federal government can earn more than $101,000.
| Industries/Employer | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
| Local government | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Consulting services | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Engineering and architectural services | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Federal government | $101,860 | $48.97 |
Urban planners hold nearly 42,000 jobs in the United States. Despite offering the lowest wage across the major industries/employers, most urban planners (69%) work for the local government, excluding hospitals and education. Engineering and architectural designers contribute 9% to the total employment, whereas consulting services and the federal government account for 2% each.
For urban designers, the rate falls between $33 and $51 per hour. Most urban designers also are employed by the same industries and the government as urban planners. Both professions also share a similar working environment, as they must travel to urban areas to conduct land use inspections and evaluations on proposed changes. They regularly work with government officials, architects, engineers, and contractors to oversee construction projects.
Despite all the similarities in work environments, urban planners and urban designers also have notable differences. For instance, urban designers are generally technical and in the field for jobs.
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As a method of action and discipline, urban planning can be defined as devising solutions to create urbanization and improve the existing urban area. Urban planning & design services deal with the challenges that may arise from appropriating, producing, and structuring urban space in a region. One of the primary objectives of urban planning is to promote a standard of living for people in an urban area.
A practical method to achieve this goal is to develop infrastructures for efficient transportation, adequate security measures, equal access to opportunities, and enhanced interaction with the natural environment. In other words, urban planners create the concept of an ideal living space and work with other professionals to transform the concept into reality. They engage neighborhood leaders, government officials, and many stakeholders to materialize the development vision.
Urban planners, also known as city planners, are professionals in directing the development of towns and cities, especially in metropolitan areas. Most urban planners work for local governments, while community groups or private companies employ some. They are critical to help determine the most efficient ways to develop an area.
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The most critical role of urban development is to identify common goals in a given community. Urban planners anticipate how a city will function in the future and make sure it has all the required preparations to meet the expectations. They are at the forefront of planned developments and serve as advisors to all the stakeholders, including elected officials, community organizations, and urban designers, in a collective effort to accomplish future readiness.
In particular, urban planners focus on a city’s geographic aspect, and their work primarily revolves around optimizing space. Recognizing space as a vital resource, urban planners assume responsibility for defining the design approach to maximize efficiency within that space. By analyzing population density, infrastructure, and land use patterns, urban planners develop strategies to create functional and sustainable urban environments that cater to the needs of residents and promote overall well-being.
Much of the job concerns the physical layout of towns and cities or zoning the area for the most appropriate type and intensity of development. Specific geographical characteristics are best used as industrial areas, while others are better suited to residential housing and commercial establishments. Based on the spatial dimension analysis, urban planners can also determine whether the space should be reserved, low-rise, or high-rise buildings.
Urban planning is almost entirely about well-informed possibilities and data-driven predictions. Urban planners work with architects and engineers to draw the city layout while preserving its visual/natural characteristics. It is vital for new development that a transformation from rural or urban areas should keep the spatial signatures and trademarks of the former.
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Working with architects and engineers improves the chances of achieving aesthetically pleasing development without sacrificing functionality. For example, they anticipate how a lineup of high-rise buildings in specific places may complement the surrounding low-rise structures. Furthermore, everything should be linked by interconnected roads, electricity, water lines, and wastewater system compellingly. All considerations must be based on an analysis of urbanization trends in the specific region and deep insights into the local economy.
In short, the development should be the gateway to provide easy access for all inhabitants to all kinds of professional services, fast-moving consumer goods, and future improvements. The entire community must benefit from the development in all aspects of life, including cleanliness, job opportunities, pollution, noise, shopping options, and cost of living. A city-wide zoning has to bring the promise of prosperity and social equality; more recently, urban planners have to put sustainability and environment-friendliness into account as well.
Unlike the work of an urban planner, which focuses mainly on zoning and planning, urban design professionals are responsible for implementing the layout. The layout implementation involves designing and arranging public facilities, transportation systems, public spaces, and buildings. Urban designers transform visions developed during urban planning into a tangible form, giving shape and visual characteristics to an area, neighborhood, and city.
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The profession combines various disciplines, including urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, and environmental biology. Not only does an urban design ensure a functional and attractive city, but it also builds the foundation for economic viability and environmental stewardship on it.
Most urban designers are architects, landscape architects, engineers, and 3D modelers. Professionals from the fields have the combined skillsets to take ideas from urban planners, communities, neighborhoods, and local authorities and bring those concepts to reality. Urban planning designers develop new living spaces, improve old buildings, restore historic landmarks, build roads, and construct infrastructures to connect people to places. The designs often become the most recognizable traits of a city.
An infrastructure must function as intended and bring value to the inhabitants. However, urban designers also have to devise a method to execute the development cost-efficiently. The project’s economic costs and community impact should not outweigh the potential advantages. The work of urban designers may involve the following activities:
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Urban planners and urban designers have no legal authority to determine the direction of new city development. They must communicate ideas to local officials, community leaders, and investors for approval. Urban space development, like most large-scale architectural projects, relies on partnerships among stakeholders and professionals alike to materialize.
Our professional urban planners and designers are available for both long and short-term contracts, depending on the needs of your project. We offer a complete range of design services, including civil engineering, landscape design, freelance drafting, and architectural services. Whatever the specific demands of your design project, we’ll connect you with the professional help you need when you need it. Get a quote today!
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