What level of math,physics, & science does an Urban Planner **ACTUALLY** use on a daily basis?

[mellow cobalt]

I would love to know, thank's all!

[gusty jackal]

In terms of math, calculating sightlines and overshadowing can be complicated on paper, but there are a lot of tools out there that allow you to plug numbers into a formula.

[sweet kayak]

I can tell you right now I do absolutely zero maths, physics or science on a day to day basis 😂

Unless you include adding up lot dimensions as maths...

Urban planning, at least where I'm from, is an inherently humanities-based discipline. There's very little overlap with STEM. STEM inquiries go down the hall to the engineers to deal with

[mellow cobalt]

Makes sense. Thought it would be something like that. 🤷🏼

[mellow cobalt]

Is there any rare occasions where the job might require advanced math, or semi advanced math... could I get an example of that if there would be an occasion like that?

Also, when going into urban planning.. where I'm from the university classesifys it as engineering and architecture, so would I require to take advanced math even if it's not need to get picked in the class?

[normal lintel]

I think it also depends on the size of the company/organisation. In addition to the country you're in. A smaller city with 3 staff is going to be working more broad per person than a city with 15 staff but even then it would be a thing you'd choose to do. And in a country or area that's very urban you may get more specialisms added as well.

I can definitely see more advanced knowledge of math/physics being a thing if you're a planner who consults with engineers, are focused more on urban design than planning or head a group/subdepartment but I wouldn't say it was required. For example: I recently did a project where I had to have contact with a civil engineer, and an architect and in cases like that it really helps to have some basic knowledge of the maths and terms behind it (even if you don't need to be able to do the calculations yourself).

If your uni classifies it as engineering and architecture it may be good to prepare yourself for some engineering and architecture, so advanced math could be a smart idea (but that also depends on the math you'd do)

[reef heart]

As a planner who submits designs to jurisdictions for review/permitting, I often have to strip out as much of the engineering and math as possible to simplify things. We give the exact info needed/requested and nothing more

[sweet kayak]

Ricardo explained it well. Planning isn't really a STEM position. There may only be niche applications where you're required to know both

You're closer to a lawyer than an engineer, tbh

[reef heart]

That said, any math I do is through excel anyway so I’m not doing too much. But as an environmental/land planner, technically I use a lot of environmental science in my day to day

[sweet kayak]

Regarding your university, "planning" as an academic field is a pretty new concept. A lot of places won't offer one because of that - usually planners will start in an allied field such as engineering, but quite often business, economics, sociology etc

Judging by your Discord username though I'm gonna guess you're in Canada. I am a member of the Planning Institute of Australia, and know we have a sister organisation with you guys - https://www.cip-icu.ca

They might have more info on their website to help you find a path - worst case scenario you could just chuck em an email too 🙂

[mellow cobalt]

👍🏻 Makes sense. I'll definitely prepare myself with taking advanced math, physics, environmental studies, etc.

[mellow cobalt]

I was wondering why there is barely any school that offers planning as an academic course! Dalhousie is the only one near me that offers it... unless I want to go to Toronto & go to the planning institute there (that's really expensive)

[mellow cobalt]

Definitely in Canada! I did not know that Australia had a planning organization similar to the Canadian one!

[sweet kayak]

Yep! I've heard of graduates doing a year of work overseas for a while too

Since we're both descendants of the crown, some of our systems work similar

[mellow cobalt]

I'll probably send them an email sometime, I really wanna become a planner... but I don't know where to go 🤷🏼

[sweet kayak]

Same story goes for the UK and such

[sweet kayak]

Beyond just helping you pick a pathway, they might be able to give you some helpful insights on the profession too. Just putting it out there, the public conception of what a planner does isn't always reflected in reality is all

[mellow cobalt]

What insights might they provide? (Sorry for so many questions btw - and thank you!)

[sweet kayak]

More on the day to day tasks and such of a planner. I try not to assume much of people's understanding of planning, but a lot of it in my experience is project management, mediating stakeholders, reading through legislation etc

[mellow cobalt]

Alright! I'll take this info and use it for my own personal benefits of understanding Urban Planning. Thank's, alot!

[sweet kayak]

all good 👍 good luck!

[mellow cobalt]

Thank's! Hopefully I'll get good luck soon lol

[normal lintel]

Better to ask them and know then to not ask and not know, so if you have anymore do ask!