Everything you need to know about studying a master's in Urban Planning

part of Arts, Design & Architecture

Urban Planning focuses on learning about the development of cities or towns. Students learn how to be responsible for developing new building zones as well as finding new purposes for abandoned ones. They collect and interpret data and use it to come up with suggestions, plans, and possible solutions.

Urban Planning can also be referred to as city or town planning, but it should not be confused with Urban Design. Urban planners are the ones who identify issues and come up with ideas, taking into account economics, policies, laws, demographics, and other factors. After the Urban Planning department decides what is needed and establishes a budget, urban designers start creating detailed plans (e.g. for roads, buildings, transportation, parks).

Some of the topics you can expect from Urban Planning are: geography, sustainable development, architectural communication, computer graphics in planning, urban environment issues, introduction to GIS (Geographic Information System), urban planning law, etc.

To be a successful urban planner, you need to have great analytical, communication, management, and decision-making skills. You will spend a lot of time meeting and discussing projects with public officials, gathering data, conducting field investigations, and staying up to date with building codes and environmental policies.

After graduating Urbam Planning, students find work as urban planners, conservation officers, housing officers, transport planners, local government officers, etc.

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Check out our list of Master's degrees in Urban Planning. Keep in mind you can also study an online Masters in Urban Planning.

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