Urban and land use planners
Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions.
Moderate
Market Demand
TEER 1
Skill Level
SK, QC, ON
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Compile and analyze data on demographic, economic, legal, political, cultural, sociological, physical and other factors affecting land use
- Confer with municipal, provincial and federal authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans
- Prepare and recommend land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks, agricultural and other land uses
- Prepare plans for environmental protection, such as wildlife preserves, national and provincial parks, and protection of watersheds
- Present plans to civic, rural and regional authorities and hold public meetings to present plans, proposals or planning studies to the general public and special interest groups
- Review and evaluate proposals for land use and development plans and prepare recommendations
- Process application for land development permits and administer land use plans and zoning by-laws
- Formulate long-range objectives and policies relative to future land use and the protection of the environment
- Supervise and coordinate work of urban planning technicians and technologists.
Qualifications
- checkA bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline is required.
- checkA master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required.
- checkMembership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required.
- checkUrban and land use planners are regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in other provinces.
- checkLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Market Outlook by Province
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for urban and land use planners (NOC 21202) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about urban and land use planners in Saskatchewan: Urban and land use planners mainly work in the following sectors: Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 28%Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 26%Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 11%Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 11%Utilities (NAICS 22): 7% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 94% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations81% of urban and land use planners work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.10% of urban and land use planners are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 64% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 36% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 19% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 19% compared to 7% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Quebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for urban and land use planners (NOC 21202) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about urban and land use planners in Quebec: Approximately 3,150 people work in this occupation. Urban and land use planners mainly work in the following sectors: Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 28%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 13%Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 485-486, 487, 493): 7% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 94% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 6% compared to 18% for all occupations74% of urban and land use planners work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of urban and land use planners are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 60% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 40% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 32% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 11% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for urban and land use planners (NOC 21202) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.What Types of Employers Are Out There?Public administration, mainly at the municipal and regional levels of governmentWithin the private sector, architectural, engineering and related services firms are key employersWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?High levels of residential construction planned due to population growth in many areas of the provinceSignificant public sector infrastructure investments, such as for the redevelopment or construction of transit facilities and hospitalsWhat Skills Do I Need to Succeed?The urban and land use planners profession is not regulated, but only members of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) can use the title ‘Registered Professional Planner’ (RPP).Here are some key facts about urban and land use planners in Ontario: Approximately 5,900 people work in this occupation. Urban and land use planners mainly work in the following sectors: Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 28%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 22% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations81% of urban and land use planners work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.9% of urban and land use planners are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 53% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 47% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 38% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 1 occupations typically require a university degree and qualify for Express Entry. These are high-priority for STEM and healthcare category draws.
Express Entry (FSW)
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Category-Based Draws
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 21202 openings right now.
Halifax Regional Municipality
10 active roles · Halifax, NS · Dartmouth, NS
City of New Westminster
7 active roles · New Westminster, BC
City of Edmonton
4 active roles · Edmonton, AB
City of Regina
4 active roles · Regina, SK
Region of Waterloo
3 active roles · Cambridge, ON · Kitchener, ON
City of Mississauga
3 active roles · Mississauga, ON
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Search Urban and land use plannersarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Evaluation and Systems Analysis
to compile and analyze data on demographic, economic, legal, political, cultural, sociological, physical and other factors affecting land use
Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving
to adjust land development plans based on community needs, government regulations, budgets and long-term objectives
Spatial Visualization
to envision long-term objectives and policies regarding future land use and protection of the environment
Fluency of Ideas
to prepare and recommend land development concepts and plans for zoning, subdivisions, transportation, public utilities, community facilities, parks, agricultural and other land uses
Collaboration
to confer with government authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, lawyers, land developers, the public and special interest groups to formulate and develop land use or community plans
Knowledge in Building and Construction
to understand construction processes and repair practices to evaluate proposed developments, coordinate with engineers and contractors and ensure compliance with building codes and regulations
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