What does a Land Planner do?

A land planner is responsible for developing plans for construction projects. This individual analyzes a range of data and highlights goals and requirements for the project. He or she takes the concepts of the developer and generates a plan that encompasses location, design, space, traffic, and many other issues. The job requires someone with extensive knowledge of property construction and design. He or she must be able to apply this know-how to a wide variety of situations.

The land planner devotes much of his or her time to conferring with architects, engineers, landscapers, and others to work out the details of a construction plan. He or she is responsible for giving presentations to local officials, as well as the heads of the land-planning organizations. This individual often works with a team of planners. He or she is tasked with developing a land plan that is concise and easy to comprehend and takes into consideration the input of the rest of the team.

The land planner must be fully aware of federal and local laws pertaining to the construction of his or her project. This individual must do his or her own research, detailing data from sources regarding economic ramifications, local markets, census information, and environmental studies. This task is made easier with graphic software, financial spreadsheets, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The head land planner is responsible for coordinating team activities and assigning roles.

A person working as a land planner negotiates contracts with consultants whose services are needed for a particular project. He or she typically assists in the process of estimating the overall costs of the proposed plan. This individual is responsible for creating a channel through which the community and other interested parties can make comments. He or she works closely with local neighborhood groups to receive feedback and create goodwill.

Construction projects require approval and certain licenses from government agencies. The land planner manages the application process with these agencies. He or she works directly with any outside companies with a stake in the development process. This person typically has a large electronic database on hand detailing all project land uses.

Local governments are the most frequent employers of land planners. Some private companies also make use of their services, including real estate companies, law firms, and utility companies. This job requires individuals who can work under very strict deadlines and who also possess great technical and communication skills. This position also demands a great deal of multitasking and someone with a passion for the property-development process.