Urban and Regional Planners
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
AI Impact Summary
Urban and Regional Planners faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 28/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 28% of all analyzed occupations. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Urban and Regional Planners skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Systems Thinking In Practice
by The Open University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
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.
Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.
Advocate for sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.
Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.
Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.
Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.
Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.
Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.
Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.
Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.
Investigate property availability for purposes of development.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 7% | |
| Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation. | 61.1Observed | 51.4% | 7% | |
| Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives. | 66.67Observed | 53.7% | 6% | |
| Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 6% | |
| Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use. | 35Estimated | 41.0% | 6% | |
| Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Advocate for sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 5% | |
| Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects. | 62.5Observed | 40.0% | 5% | |
| Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 5% | |
| Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 5% | |
| Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Investigate property availability for purposes of development. | 57.3Observed | 72.1% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$83,720
per year
Mean Wage
$89,730
per year
Employment
43K
workers
Wage Range
$55,590 - $128,550
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsTransportation Managers
28%Median salary: $102,010
Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Architectural and Engineering Managers
30%Median salary: $167,740
Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
31%Median salary: $96,690
Higher risk than 47% of other occupations
Transportation Planners
33%Median salary: $100,340
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
33%Median salary: $86,730
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Geographers
34%Median salary: $97,200
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
34%Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
34%Median salary: $117,960
Higher risk than 64% of other occupations
Logistics Analysts
40%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 82% of other occupations
City and Regional Planning Aides
42%Median salary: $58,040
Higher risk than 86% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Urban and Regional Planners professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change