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Environmental planners design development plans that consider environmental impact. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject and may work in public or private agencies. Their duties include conducting studies, finding contracts, and incorporating environmentally sound materials and technology into their plans. They may also work on creating sustainable development policies.
An environmental planner is a type of architect who formulates development plans that take environmental impact into account. Most professionals in this field have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related subject, although many also have graduate degrees in architecture, environmental studies, or similar fields. Jobs for environmental planners can be found in both public and private agencies and can include the design and development of environmentally conscious new buildings and recreational areas, the modernization of existing developments and the creation of environmental policies.
Most environmental planners go through several years of training to become a professional in the field. University degrees in environmental studies, environmental planning, urban and rural architecture, and engineering can be excellent avenues for a future career. Some may receive postgraduate or doctoral degrees in planning and development, which may allow them to enter the field at a higher level. Upon graduation, new planners may need to spend time working in associate or entry-level jobs before they can begin a full-time career as a planner.
Basic job duties of an environmental planner include finding contracts and developing a plan for a proposed site or modernization project. In formulating a development plan, planners can conduct a variety of studies to analyze the land, drainage and ecosystem of the site in question. If there are risks to the environment arising from development, a planner can try to find ways to offset or reduce these concerns. For example, when creating a new park through an existing natural area, a planner might consider the local wildlife ranges and habitats and design paths and structures that allow visitors to access the area without disturbing the animal dwellers.
As an environmental planner develops ideas for a new building or complex, he incorporates materials and technology that will ensure the final development is environmentally sound. Plans for a building created by an environmental planner can include features such as insulation from recycled material, wood sourced from sustainable tree farms, and clean energy alternatives such as wind and solar energy. When renovating an existing building, the planner can look for ways to replace environmentally harmful materials such as lead-based paint or chemically treated carpeting, as well as incorporating new technologies that make the building more energy efficient and environmentally sound.
In the public sector, an environmental planner can also work to create new policies focused on sustainable development. They can work with various government departments, including housing, internal agencies and government environmental agencies, to replace outdated pollution and building standards with new policies that help reduce environmental damage without inhibiting needed development. Planners employed by the government may also work to design and maintain public recreation areas such as national monuments, protected wildlife reserves, and national parks.
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