So you are sitting in a waiting room, on an airplane, or simply making small talk with a friend of a friend and the question is always asked, “so what do you do?” Your response, already anticipating the follow-up is, “oh, I’m a city planner”. “That’s cool, so what is that exactly? Do you say where things go?” Here is when your follow-up response is determined based on factors such as the number of years you have in, your thoughts on the profession as of that day, and who exactly the person is that asked you that question.
Planners know what they do, but it can be somewhat difficult to sum it up in a quick blurb that conveys the complexity and simplicity of urban planning all at the same time. It usually does not suffice to respond “I make communities better!” or “I regulate development”. Warranted or not, both responses are not adequate and can come off as either being conceited or just a jackass. We have compiled a list of typical responses that a planner would give off the cuff and converted them to a phrase that perhaps you should say instead:
Instead of saying… “I regulate development.” Say… “Part of my job is to ensure that new development is consistent with the community’s vision as detailed in planning documents." Instead of saying… “I enforce land uses.” Say… “As a city planner, one of my duties is to promote compatible development patterns.” Instead of saying… “I help determine where things like schools and fire stations go." Say… “I help analyze trends and demographic data to aid decision makers in locating essential public services.” Instead of saying… “Sometimes I have to writing zoning citations.” Say… “My job requires that I am responsible for ensuring that everybody plays by the same rules to protect property values.” Instead of saying… “I deal with NIMBYs and Tea Partiers a lot.” Say… "As a city planner, I’m often called upon to facilitate discussions in the hopes of finding consensus between sometimes conflicting parties.” Instead of saying… “I have to go to public meetings.” Say… “As a city planner, I get to play a crucial role in the public process and share technical knowledge with decision makers.” Instead of saying… “I sit at an office and stare at a computer.” Say… “I meet with prospective developers and help common people navigate the city codes.” Instead of saying… “I get to hear about things before everyone else.” Say… “It is satisfying to be able to see the whole process from concept to ribbon cutting.” Instead of saying… “I help write planning documents.” Say… “As a city planner, my role is to facilitate the development of plans that guide future decision making.” Instead of saying… “Planners are underappreciated and underpaid.” Say… “Planners are underappreciated and underpaid.” join the Dollar Planner Club and get access to our newest feature, Planner Thoughts!
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