A professional who develops comprehensive plans and programs for utilization of land and physical facilities of cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. Responsibilities include:

• Compiles and analyzes data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use, and prepares or requisitions graphic and narrative reports on data.
• Confers with local authorities, civic leaders, social scientists, and land planning and development specialists to devise and recommend arrangements of land and physical facilities for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses.
• Recommends governmental measures affecting land use, public utilities, community facilities, and housing and transportation to control and guide community development and renewal.
• May review and evaluate environmental impact reports applying to specified private and public planning projects and programs.
• When directing activities of planning department, is known as Chief Planner; Director, Planning.
• Usually employed by local government jurisdictions, but may work for any level of government, or private consulting firms.