How can GIS professionals transition to urban planning?

1 Assess your interests and goals

The first step is to assess your interests and goals, and see how they align with urban planning. Urban planning is a broad and diverse field, with many subfields and specializations. Some of the common areas of urban planning are land use, transportation, housing, economic development, environmental planning, historic preservation, community development, and urban design. You might want to research these areas and see which ones appeal to you the most, and what kind of projects and problems they deal with. You might also want to consider your career aspirations, such as what kind of organization you want to work for, what kind of impact you want to make, and what kind of challenges you want to face.

2 Learn the basics of urban planning

The next step is to learn the basics of urban planning, and familiarize yourself with the concepts, theories, and methods of the field. You can do this by taking online courses, reading books and journals, attending webinars and workshops, and joining professional associations and networks. Some of the topics you might want to learn are urban history and theory, urban sociology and geography, urban economics and policy, urban design and aesthetics, planning law and ethics, planning methods and tools, and public participation and communication. You can also use your GIS skills to explore and visualize urban data, such as demographics, land use, transportation, infrastructure, environment, and health.

3 Gain relevant experience and skills

The third step is to gain relevant experience and skills, and demonstrate your competence and potential as an urban planner. You can do this by seeking internships, volunteer opportunities, or projects that involve urban planning tasks and challenges. You can also look for mentorship or guidance from experienced urban planners, who can offer you advice, feedback, and networking opportunities. You can also enhance your skills by learning other software and tools that are useful for urban planning, such as CAD, BIM, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, or R. You can also improve your soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, and leadership.

4 Pursue further education or certification

The fourth step is to pursue further education or certification, and boost your credentials and credibility as an urban planner. Depending on your background and goals, you might want to consider enrolling in a master's or doctoral program in urban planning or a related field, such as urban studies, urban design, urban policy, or urban geography. These programs can provide you with advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in urban planning, as well as access to faculty, peers, and resources. You might also want to obtain a professional certification, such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or the Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP), which can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.

5 Build your portfolio and network

The fifth step is to build your portfolio and network, and showcase your work and connections as an urban planner. You can create a portfolio that highlights your projects, skills, and achievements in urban planning, using various formats, such as maps, reports, presentations, videos, or websites. You can also use your portfolio to apply for jobs, grants, awards, or publications in the field. You can also build your network by attending events, conferences, seminars, or webinars related to urban planning, and connecting with other urban planners, researchers, practitioners, or stakeholders. You can also use social media, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters to share your insights, opinions, or stories about urban planning.

6 Keep learning and growing

The sixth step is to keep learning and growing, and adapt to the changing needs and trends of urban planning. Urban planning is a dynamic and evolving field, that responds to the social, economic, environmental, and technological changes in cities and regions. You need to stay updated and informed about the latest developments, innovations, and best practices in urban planning, and how they affect your work and goals. You also need to seek feedback and evaluation from your peers, clients, or supervisors, and identify your strengths and weaknesses as an urban planner. You also need to pursue continuous professional development, such as taking courses, workshops, or webinars, or joining communities of practice or interest groups.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?