Urban and Regional Planners
Medium50.08%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$51,470
Median$81,800
High (90th %)$126,120
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Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
The automation risk for "Urban and Regional Planners" stands at 50.1%, only slightly below the base risk of 51.0%. This figure reflects the occupation's balanced blend of tasks, some of which are highly susceptible to automation due to advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analysis tools. Core duties such as designing and administering government plans and policies on land use, zoning, and public utilities can often be streamlined through software capable of modeling and simulation. Additionally, tasks like advising planning officials regarding project feasibility and regulatory conformance, as well as preparing graphic or narrative reports based on complex land use data, lend themselves well to automation because much of the input data can be processed by sophisticated algorithms and digital mapping technologies. However, Urban and Regional Planners perform several tasks that are distinctly resistant to automation, maintaining the occupation's risk at a moderate level instead of it becoming high. The top resistant tasks include responding to public inquiries and complaints, which requires nuanced interpersonal communication and situational judgment that automation struggles to replicate. Another key resistant task is the research, compilation, and organization of diverse information sources, including maps, reports, and investigations used for specialized projects, which often involves synthesizing unstructured or ambiguous information. Similarly, preparing, maintaining, and updating land use files and statistics requires context-sensitive judgment and attention to detail that may not be readily captured by current automated solutions. The overall moderate automation risk is significantly influenced by the dependence on bottleneck skills such as Originality, which have recorded levels of 3.3% and 4.0%. This indicates that while some aspects of urban and regional planning can be made more efficient through technological tools, the role fundamentally relies on creative thinking and the ability to generate novel solutions for complex, context-specific challenges. Urban planning inherently involves envisioning future development, balancing competing interests, and adapting to community needs—areas where originality and human insight remain essential. As a result, while automation may alleviate tedious or data-heavy elements of the job, the uniquely human aspects of creativity and adaptive problem-solving offer considerable resistance against full automation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Partially Automatable
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Partially Automatable
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
Partially Automatable
Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
Partially Automatable
Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
Partially Automatable
Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
Partially Automatable
Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
Partially Automatable
Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
Partially Automatable
Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
Partially Automatable
Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
Partially Automatable
Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.
Partially Automatable
Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.
Partially Automatable
Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
Non-Automatable
Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
Partially Automatable
Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.
Partially Automatable
Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
Partially Automatable
Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
Partially Automatable
Investigate property availability for purposes of development.
Partially Automatable
Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.
Partially Automatable
Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.
Automatable
Respond to public inquiries and complaints.
Partially Automatable
Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
Partially Automatable
Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.
Partially Automatable
Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.
Partially Automatable
Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Financial ResourcesTime ManagementManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems Analysis
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
History and ArcheologyAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and Counseling
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3DOracle DatabaseESRI What if?ESRI softwareAccela KIVA DMSAccela PERMITS PlusAccela Tidemark AdvantageCaliper TransCADAdobe IllustratorCitilabs TRANPLANAdobe InDesignAdobe PageMakerMicrosoft SharePointSAP softwareAdobe PhotoshopDatabase softwareIBM Lotus NotesHypertext markup language HTMLAutodesk AutoCADGraphics softwareOracle JavaIBM Lotus 1-2-3Bentley MicroStationPresentation softwareDassault Systemes SolidWorksESRI ArcViewESRI ArcInfoDesktop publishing softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsEsri ArcGISInterwoven softwareEmail softwareExtensible markup language XMLGeomechanical design analysis GDA softwareData mining softwaredBASELeica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINERockWare ArcMapAutodesk 3ds Max DesignCommunityVize-on VUEITSpatial InterSCOPELand management databasesLocation allocation decision support system LADSSPlanGraphics Citywide GIS UtilityRhinoSoft FTP VoyagerSage TimeslipsMicrosoft ExcelStreet address databasesTelogis GeoBaseTransportation planning softwareUrbanSimWeb browser softwareStructured query language SQLWord processing softwareWorkTech MAXIMOSpreadsheet softwareTrimble SketchUp ProSoftware development toolsSpatial decision support systems SDSS softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteIntergraph MGEAutodesk AutoCAD Map 3DESRI What if?ESRI softwareAdobe DreamweaverAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PageMakerIBM Lotus NotesHypertext markup language HTMLAutodesk AutoCADGraphics softwareDassault Systemes SolidWorksIBM Lotus 1-2-3ESRI ArcViewESRI ArcInfoDesktop publishing softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsEsri ArcGISInterwoven softwareData mining softwareCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteAdobe FreeHand MXdBASEAutodesk 3ds Max DesignAccela KIVA DMSAccela PERMITS PlusAccela Tidemark AdvantageCaliper TransCADCitilabs TRANPLANe-on VUEITSpatial InterSCOPELand management databasesCriterion Planners INDEXExtensible markup language XMLOracle DatabasePlanGraphics Citywide GIS UtilityTangible Media Group Luminous TableRhinoSoft FTP VoyagerSage TimeslipsSpatial decision support systems SDSS softwareTelogis GeoBaseUrbanSimMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareWeb browser softwareStructured query language SQLOracle JavaOracle Primavera SystemsWorkTech MAXIMOSpreadsheet softwarePresentation softwareTrimble SketchUp ProMicrosoft Office softwareSoftware development toolsRockWare ArcMapMultiGen Paradigm 3D GISWord processing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareBentley MicroStationGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareGeomechanical design analysis GDA softwareLeica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINEAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe AcrobatAdobe AcrobatCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteAdobe DreamweaverOracle Primavera SystemsCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteAdobe FreeHand MXIntergraph MGECommunityVizLocation allocation decision support system LADSSStreet address databasesTransportation planning softwareCriterion Planners INDEXMultiGen Paradigm 3D GISTangible Media Group Luminous Table3D urban simulation modeling software3D urban simulation modeling softwareITC Integrated Land and Water Information System ILWISITC Integrated Land and Water Information System ILWISScientific Software Group ModTechScientific Software Group ModTechEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectDatabase softwareEmail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordAdobe Creative Cloud softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Access
Chief Executives
Medium38.73%
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Chief Sustainability Officers
Medium50.38%
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Facilities Managers
Medium49.28%
Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.
Water Resource Specialists
Medium52.67%
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Emergency Management Directors
Medium43.69%
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Medium48.09%
Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Medium45.48%
Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
Project Management Specialists
Medium52.50%
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Management Analysts
Medium51.36%
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Sustainability Specialists
Medium54.37%
Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Information Technology Project Managers
Medium49.19%
Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.
Landscape Architects
Medium49.03%
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Conservation Scientists
Medium46.68%
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Range Managers
Medium46.07%
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Medium51.39%
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Medium47.42%
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Environmental Restoration Planners
Medium49.13%
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Industrial Ecologists
Medium49.08%
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Geographers
Medium47.14%
Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.
Transportation Planners
Medium46.82%
Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
Political Scientists
Medium45.66%
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.