How to Become an Urban Planner

Urban planning is an essential field that designates land use for a variety of construction projects. Urban planners are highly trained and skilled professionals that develop plans for land use and the growth and renovation of a variety of communities. What does an urban planner do? Urban planners create long and short term plans to help solve economic, social, and environment issues. They suggest locations for roads, schools, buildings, and other structures and recommend zoning regulations. They predict the future needs of the residents to make decisions regarding the best use of the land and resources. They create plans for new construction and assist in the development of resources by studying the current use of land. They also gather data on the types of industries currently in the community, employment and economic trends, and population traits. Some urban planners help with the location of new landfills, pollution control, forest conservation, and wetland preservation. Others help with planning new parks and making the area more attractive to new businesses. How much do urban planners make? As of November 2009, the middle 50% of urban planners earn annual salaries between $38,883 and $46,961. The top 10% earn annual salaries of more than $52,210 (2). When the Environmental Planner is commissioned to do town and regional planning or urban renewal projects, he performs the following: a. Identifies existing land use, resources, social behavior and interaction. b. Undertakes environmental analysis, feasibility studies, demographic analysis. c. Examines existing laws, ordinances, political/social constraints. d. Prepares concept development plans, policies, implementing strategies to arrive at the Master Development Plan. 6. COMPENSATION FEES 6.1 As a specialized service, the Architect shall be compensated for by the following methods: a. Professional Fee plus Expenses --The fee of the Architect-Planner for the physical planning component is based on the schedule prescribed under UAP Doc. 203-D Physical Planning Services while the fee for consultants, researches and other out of pocket expenses are reimbursable to the Architect. UAP DOC. 203-d PHYSICAL PLANNING SERVICES 5. PHYSICAL PLANNING SCHEDULE OF FEES Type 1 5.1 Physical Planning for building sites such as Industrial Estates, Commercial Centers, Sports Complexes, Resorts, Tourist Centers, Amusement Parks, Educational Campuses, Institutional and Government Centers, and Site Planning of any complex consisting of several structures within a contiguous site. * Basic rate for the first 50 hectares or less - P 5,000 per hectare * Over 50 hectares up to 100 hectares - P250,000 plus P 4,5000 per hectare in excess of 50 hectares * Over 100 hectares up to 200 hectares - P475,000 plus P * Over 200 hectares - P875,000 plus P Type 2 5.2 Subdivision Planning for housing on properties within Metro-Manila, cities, regional centers and provincial capitals. * Basic rate for the first 100 hectares or less - P 3,000 per hectare * Over 100 hectares up to 200 hectares - P300,000 plus P 2,3000 per hectare in excess of 100 hectares * Over 200 hectares - P550,000 plus P Type 3 5.3 Subdivision Planning for housing on properties located on other localities beside those under Type 2. * Basic rate for the first 100 hectares or less - P 2,000 per hectare * Over 100 hectares up to 200 hectares - P200,000 plus P 1,5000 per hectare in excess of 100 hectares * Over 200 hectares - P350,000 plus P 1,000 per hectare in excess of 200 hectares 2,000 per hectare in excess of 200 hectares 4,000 per hectare in excess of 100 hectares

3,000 per hectare in excess of 200 hectares

The rate stipulated under Article 5 above is based on the assumption that the land to be developed is moderately flat. If the land is rugged with steep terrain the fee shall increased by thirty percent (30%).