Urban designer

Working as a vital part of a much bigger team, your role as an urban designer will be to help bring viable developments to life, ensuring that the environments you create are both useful and enjoyable. Urban designers typically come from backgrounds in architecture, town planning or landscape architecture, although people from other built-environment and spatial-design disciplines also enter the profession.

You'll work with developers, local communities, architects, planners, traffic engineers, landscape architects and transport planners to resolve problems and conflicts and create better spaces.

Types of urban design work

It's usual to specialise in one area, such as:

• rural environments in villages
• spatial areas, in parks, open landscapes
• urban environments in towns and cities.

You can also undertake generalist work, which encompasses projects in some or all of these areas.

What does an urban designer do?

As an urban designer, you'll need to:

• develop new designs, or improve existing ones, for streets, parks, public spaces, neighbourhoods, towns and cities
• survey land and buildings, analyse their current use and identify opportunities and constraints for development
• prepare masterplans, design strategies, design codes and other material to guide development and support planning applications
• produce plans, drawings and visualisations using CAD and other design software
• understand the needs of people who will use the space, considering social, environmental, economic, spatial and physical factors
• work with multidisciplinary teams, including architects, planners, local authorities, contractors, suppliers and local communities, to ensure designs are practical, coordinated and meet project requirements
• consult with communities and other stakeholders to gather views and explain design proposals
• negotiate with and influence clients, planners and other professionals to help shape appropriate design solutions
• make sure designs take account of relevant planning policies, guidance and development requirements.

How much does an urban designer earn?

• Junior/graduate urban designers usually start on a salary of between £28,000 and £34,000.
• Experienced urban designers can earn between £32,000 and £45,000.
• Senior urban designers, or those in the position of partner or associate within a firm, could earn £47,000 to £70,000 depending on the types and size of projects undertaken.

Most urban designers are in employed positions, but some go on to launch their own urban design consultancy. Depending on the type and size of organisation you work for, you may be given some benefits such as a mobile phone or company car, as the role requires regular site visits.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an urban designer work?

You can expect a varied and busy career as an urban designer, which is reflected in the working hours and environment. While the role is typically hybrid, with a mix of office-based and remote working (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), you will also make regular on-site visits to check on the progress of your work and help deal with any challenges that arise.

Meetings with local communities often occur during the evenings, so some evening and weekend work is to be expected. Although paid overtime isn't usually offered for work done outside your usual hours, organisations often offer time off in lieu. Taking annual leave usually takes place outside of peak times or deadline periods within a project.

Part-time work and job sharing are possible.

How to become an urban designer

As an urban designer, you'll have completed an undergraduate degree in a related subject or a foundation degree that enables you to progress with further undergraduate study.

Suitable subjects include:

• architecture
• built environment
• civil engineering
• construction management
• economics
• geography
• graphic design
• human geography
• landscape architecture
• spatial design
• urban design
• urban or town planning.

It is also possible, but less common, to pursue a career in urban design with a degree in other, non-related subjects, although this may involve further study or relevant experience to develop the specialist design and planning knowledge that employers look for. Unlike other professions in the sector, such as architecture, urban design is not an accredited profession and there is no professional body governing the content of higher education courses, so course content can vary between institutions.

Many employers value a Masters-level qualification in urban design or other relevant subject, plus additional work experience.

Key skills for an urban designer

You'll need to have:

• creativity and design awareness to develop innovative, practical ideas for buildings, public spaces and places
• organisation and project management skills to manage deadlines, priorities and changing project requirements
• technical and digital design skills to use CAD and other design software to develop and communicate design proposals
• analytical and problem-solving skills to understand complex sites, identify opportunities and constraints and develop workable solutions that balance competing needs
• communication and interpersonal skills to listen to different viewpoints, explain ideas clearly and work with clients, communities and other professionals
• numerical and commercial awareness to understand budgets, costs and the financial implications of design decisions.

Urban design work experience

Urban design is a highly practical and skilled profession, so previous work experience, either voluntary or gained through your course, is highly desirable. However, it isn't always essential for entry-level graduate roles, as some employers offer graduate training schemes. Many courses include opportunities for placements or internships, although you'll usually need to find and apply for these yourself.

Try to get work experience with a range of employers and project types, as this can give you a broader understanding of the profession and strengthen your applications.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs urban designers?

Urban designers are employed in both the public and private sectors by consultancies, developers and local authorities. The types of design projects you'll work on will largely depend on the type and size of organisation you are employed by and whether the organisation has a specialist area. For example, you might work for a consultancy that specialises in sustainability or green building, or a local authority focused on expanding school provision in the region.

With enough experience, you could go on to start your own business or consultancy. To work in a self-employed capacity, you'll need to be highly motivated and have a good understanding of what is involved in running a business.

Look for vacancies at:

• Planning Jobs
• Urban Design Group Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Hunter Dunning, Ignis Partners, Lewis Davey and Penguin Recruitment handle urban design vacancies.

What are the career prospects and opportunities for professional development in urban design?

Once you've gained entry-level experience and developed a portfolio of work, you can shape your career direction around your interests. For example, you might pursue specialist training in areas such as sustainable city design or urban planning policy. Development opportunities typically include external courses, conferences, workshops and seminars, such as those offered through the Urban Design Group.

Urban design continues to evolve with technological advances, such as those relating to smart cities and green infrastructure, creating ongoing and evolving opportunities for professional development. You may need to identify suitable training independently or with your employer.

Your professional development may build on your undergraduate studies - for example, architecture graduates can become a RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) member and access their continuing professional development (CPD) courses.

After around five years, you could progress to senior roles such as project lead or urban planner, taking on more complex projects with greater responsibility. This may include responsibility for integrating technology and sustainable solutions into urban environments. You may eventually reach associate or partner level in a consultancy or become a department head in a local authority or business organisation. At this level, you would typically oversee large-scale design projects, including budgets and teams.