Urban planners help find the best way to use the land in cities and neighborhoods. They report on the best location for houses, stores, and parks. They try to solve a variety of problems, from too much traffic and air pollution to finding safe places to get rid of trash.

Most urban planners work for local governments, although some planners work in private companies. A small number of planners work for the Federal Government.

Find out more about being an Urban Planner:

Stephanie Roberts, who was a Girl Scout for 12 years, used to build entire miniature cities in her sandbox. She made roads, stores, houses, parks and schools. Then her younger brother would attack with the water hose (pretending it was a tidal wave) and she'd have to start all over again. It's a good thing she liked the process of designing the street more than finishing the actual town!

Stephanie decided to work in transportation planning because every single person in the world is affected by transportation, whether they are walking, skating, driving, biking, riding a train or flying. Her company designs and builds large public projects like highways, airports, subways, and bridges.

As a Transportation Planner, Stephanie analyzes traffic/accident data, writes reports to help the environment, and explains these projects to the public. She does things like counting people and bags at airport terminals or counting parking spaces in cities.

By helping improve highways and giving people more choices in trains and buses, Stephanie is making a difference in people's lives. For example, some of the time they once spent in the car, they can spend with their families instead!