Urban planning is the study of design, planning and regulation of use of space in the urban environment and its different locations with economic and social feasibility. It is a process of elaborating solutions that aim to improve or re-qualify an existing urban area, as well as to create a new urbanization in a given region. As a discipline and as a method of action urban planning deals with the processes of production, structuring and appropriation of urban space.
Available job roles: Research & development, real estate designer & developer, urban planner, city planner, town planner, lecturer/professor.
Key skills required: Design aptitude, numerical aptitude, team work, communication, interpersonal relationship, analytical thinking, detail oriented, observation, leadership, technical knowledge.
What to study?
Students planning to take up urban planning studies can explore from the following pathways:
Path 1: Class XII with Science Stream with Maths; B. Plan in Urban Planning; M. Plan in Urban Planning; PhD.
Path 2: Class XII with Science Stream with Maths; Bachelor’s degree in Geography/Environmental Design/ Political Science/ Urban Planning; Masters degree in Urban Planning/ City Planning; PhD.
Where to study?
Here are some of the best courses in urban planning offered in India and abroad:
(India)
• School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
• Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmadabad
• Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
• Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal
• College of Engineering, Pune
(Abroad)
• Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
• ETH Zurich, Switzerland
• Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• Texas A&M University, United States
• University of Melbourne, Australia
Pros & Cons
Pros: Creative and stimulating work environment, plethora of career opportunities.
Cons: Extensive travelling required.
Top recruiters
Some of the top recruiters of urban planners are: Indian Engineering Services, State Public Services Commissions, Metro Rail Corporations, Urban Development, Housing Boards, Infrastructure Development Boards, Central Building Research Institute, Municipal Service Commissions, Govt Colleges, Urban Strategies Inc., Greenbeerg Consultants, Visionary Studio, Unity Interiors, Aelius Venture, Kiara Architecture, AXIS Architects & Unrban Planners, iKix 3D Prints Planquadrat, private colleges.
Individuals can also work as independent urban planning consultants or start their own consulting firm.
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