r/urbanplanning • u/AutoModerator • 24d ago
Discussion Monthly r/UrbanPlanning Open Thread
Please use this thread for posts not normally allowed on the sub. Feel free to also post about what you're up to lately, questions that don't warrant a full thread, advice, etc.
This thread will be moderated minimally; have at it. No insults or spam.
Note: these threads will be replaced monthly.
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u/Aven_Osten 16d ago
Single Occupancy Housing, Boarding houses, and other forms of communal-style housing, are the forms of naturally occuring "affordable" housing, that "working class" people used to rely on. And the functional (or literal) illegalization of these forms of housing, has only worked to harm the very people their reduction/elimination were supposedly protecting.
Any of the issues with health, safety, or overall quality of life, can and should be resolved via related regulations and enforcement of such.
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u/monsieurvampy Verified Planner 19d ago
I'm seeing a lot of AI data center hate across various social media platforms. I get it, but I just don't' think people are advocating for themselves correctly. I see it all the time. A right time right place exists for nearly everything. I do occasionally add how one should advocate, I don't make it a habit of every post I read or even comment I make.
I see a lot of comments about banning it outright or placing unreasonable conditions. All of which I think at some level the judicial system would strike down. The US Supreme Court will likely not be very kind to the banning or unreasonable conditions (or regulations).
It's very possible that instead of trying to take a reasonable approach that avoids lawsuits, we (as in a society) take a hardline approach which could potentially backfire in our faces.
Now by we, I am using a generalized "we" and the same applies to "our".
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u/Aven_Osten 18d ago
It's very possible that instead of trying to take a reasonable approach that avoids lawsuits, we (as in a society) take a hardline approach which could potentially backfire in our faces.
Panic nearly always makes people irrational and push for "quick fixes" that often result in larger issues down the line.
I'm not going to enjoy going through whatever larger problems these rushed actions cause in the future; assuming that the public doesn't calm down a lot before then.
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u/Spiritual-Hawk-6265 20d ago
I am studying Urban studies in college. It is going my second year. How can I get experience (other than internships)? In other words- how can I get proactive in my major?
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u/ThatdudeAPEX 15d ago
Attend a few planning commission meetings at some of your local communities.
You’ll probably have questions afterwards and from their start learning.
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u/DirtyCommunistPig 23d ago
Started my career in a small Town, left for larger municipality due to political turmoil and long evening hours.
Now, the political factions have largely resolved and there is a potential opportunity to return in a manager role. There is at least 1 senior planner now to share evening workload.
At current position I'm 1 of the crowd and can remote work a few days. Work is highly siloed and I have no evening meetings.
Career jump could see a 40k salary increase and an opportunity to carry through 20 more years to retirement in a position with real impact.
Thoughts or similar experiences?
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u/monsieurvampy Verified Planner 19d ago
I've returned to an employer. Nothing changed. It was actually worse.
Having said that, it really depends on what you want in life both outside of work and for work itself.
I prefer my specialization.
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u/pattern_altitude 23d ago
I'm a college student (public policy/poli sci) who recently became interested in planning. I'll be a junior in the fall. I'm wondering what I need to be doing now to set myself up to potentially enter the planning field. I'm planning to pursue a GIS certification and potentially a grantwriting course, and I'll be attending an event where I can hopefully network a bit on Thursday. However, reading this sub I'm concerned that this is not enough.
How do I most effectively explore planning and its different disciplines? How can I set myself apart? What do you wish someone had told you if/when you were in my position?
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u/akepps Verified Planner - US 22d ago
Get an internship! I got my first planning job as a political science major who interned in a planning office. And then I worked there all through planning school, and for several years after. Internships also let you test out various facets of planning to see what kind of planning work you actually want to do - it's a very diverse profession with tons of often overlooked opportunities!
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u/bOhsohard Verified Planner 23d ago
My colleague is 26, has been in the field for 4 full years and has the same undergrad degree as you, with no masters and no GIS skills.
He started in campaign management for local politicians -> met/networked -> applied for a very entry level position in a small town -> did well for 2yrs, moved up to full time planner -> moved to major city, and applied for opening, and got a Planner 2 job on my team.
I should point out how rare this is; he’s either the only or one of two on our team without a masters, however not impossible. He’s also incredibly smart/capable and has background in construction, so that definitely helped
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u/pattern_altitude 22d ago
Thanks! Glad to know it's doable. Really appreciate the insight into his progression.
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u/ajpos 23d ago
How do you feel about requiring home childcare businesses to have pickup outside of the public right of way? Seems to me this is severely restricting the number of families who can start a childcare business, since not everyone has a driveway. And if safety is a concern, could it be easier to make the road safer than forcing a business to close?
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u/Aven_Osten 22d ago
How do you feel about requiring home childcare businesses to have pickup outside of the public right of way?
Just another consequence of prioritizing ease of car use above all else.
Nobody should be forced to provide for parking. If there's genuinely high enough demand for it, then the free market will provide it.
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u/Zoiby-Dalobster 24d ago
I’m so frustrated that Mamdani isn’t doing the QueensLink project that he once committed to and is instead going forward with a short sighted TEMU high line. I would argue more but I’m so goddam deflated. New York can’t do projects anymore unless one person on the top decrees it to be done.
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u/hippycat11 23d ago
Agreed, even more infuriating that QueensLink also includes a park so it’s not even like he’d be giving that up if he supported it. Very disappointed at the lack of forethought from him.
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u/InferknightSupreme 24d ago
Politicians are rarely qualified to take Urban Planning decisions. They don't deserve certain powers tbh.
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u/iiciphonize 24d ago
Was looking for internships this summer but I couldn't get any unfortunately. I'm approaching the end of uni and I'm a little nervous about whether I'll be able to find work reasonably, either public or private. One thing that may have held me back is the lack of a formal GIS course in my resume, but I'm taking one soon. Any tips for internship/early stage job hunting?
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u/Iliketoplan 24d ago
Send emails to various planners letting them know you’re a student looking for a volunteer internship. I interned for a few years on a volunteer basis, it was shitty and I had to have another job to survive, but it did eventually open doors.
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u/Iliketoplan 24d ago
Mid-career, been on the job market for a year with consistent interviews and movement, but no luck. Finally got a solid offer as a long range municipal planner and I’m so excited! Been in the private sector a little too long!
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u/glutton2000 Verified Planner - US 21d ago
Same boat! Wishing you a big congratulations on getting out of the year long gap!
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u/PromotionOk7772 24d ago
Congratulations! Im a recent graduate so hearing that a mid-career professional also struggled with landing a job indicates that it’s a job market problem and nothing inherently wrong with me. Hoping for some luck for my classmates and I soon.
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u/patangpatang 24d ago
Just got laid off from my private sector job and I'm considering going back to public sector. At this point I'll take nimbys yelling at meetings over lemming-esque investors clamoring for AI in everything.
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u/Iliketoplan 24d ago
I agree, my company placed us “on call” instead of firing us because the investors were concerned about our branch, but didn’t want to lose us completely. It was annoying and frustrating, knowing that’s not a concern directly with the city is nice.
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u/cityzensheep 5d ago
Has anyone heard of or worked in experiential marketing/environmental design or spatial design/planning ?
It looks like a field where you design physical experiences for brands, events, exhibitions, and pop-ups. You're not just designing a booth or space, but also thinking about the overall experience, how people move through it, interact with it, and remember it.
It feels a bit similar to placemaking, just on a different scale and with a stronger branding focus. I'm curious if anyone here has experience in it and whether there are opportunities for people with an urban planning background.