“Thyroid” occupations: Green Urban planners

Summary

A skills revolution is necessary to respond to the impact of the green transition in the short- and medium-term. All workers, across qualification and seniority levels, sectors and occupations need to be trained in an array of skills. Particular focus is necessary for occupations that drive “greenovation”, which lies at the core of the green transition. Such occupations may be relatively small in terms of employment shares but are indispensable for meeting the European Green Deal goals. These ‘thyroid occupations’, as Cedefop coined them, are highly skilled (e.g., R&D scientists and specialised engineers), but also medium-skilled technical profiles that supporting the implementation of green solutions.

Cedefop explored employment and skill developments and trends in selected “thyroid” occupations. This report discusses Green Urban Planners, building on desk research, quantitative data, but also interviews with key stakeholders relevant to the occupation.

© Image by BÙI VĂN HỒNG PHÚC from Pixabay

Who are green urban planners?

Green Urban Planners – also known as smart city planners, town planners, regional planners – create development plans for towns, urban areas, cities, and regions. They research the social, economic, mobility needs of the community or the region in a sustainability perspective to present solid programs aimed at improving cities/regions. The professional profile of urban planners has become increasingly multidisciplinary in the last few years. Urban planners are primarily employed by public entities, such as cities and municipalities. Nonetheless, specialized private companies may also hire such profiles, who then act as consultants and advisors for public entities.

Urban planning (UP) is the process of developing and designing urban areas to meet the needs of a community. It draws on numerous aspects of life in the city: new and pre-existing land, buildings, roads, communal spaces, transportation, economic development, infrastructure, and the environment, amongst others.  

Urban planners are primarily employed by public entities, such as cities and municipalities. Nonetheless, specialised private companies may also hire such profiles, who then act as consultants and advisors for public entities. Urban planners tend to have senior roles, as they are primarily tasked with developing a vision on how to bring about sustainable change in cities. As such, urban planners often rely on more technical and less senior profiles to tangibly implement the proposed changes (e.g., water and transport experts). Collaboration between senior and junior profiles, as stressed by expert opinion, is crucial to bridge the technical and political processes to attain sustainable urban development.  

Given the wide array of aspects that urban planning deals with the practice draws from several disciplines – architecture, engineering, economics, sociology, public health, finance and others. As such, the professional profile of urban planners has become increasingly multidisciplinary. (Green) urban planners are also known with alternative labels, such as urban designers.

Developments in (green) urban planning 

Regulatory and technological developments have given a substantial boost to the urban planning sector. A wide number of initiatives have been launched at the EU level to ensure that cities and public spaces are revisited in a sustainable way. These range from urban mobility plans to renewable energy integration in cities, and community engagement to ensure that the proposed changes to the urban network are widely accepted and can enhance social cohesion. In parallel, technological developments such as digital twin cities have increased the permeation of big data and AI into the sector.

As reported by UN-Habitat, by 2050 approximately two thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. In Europe, over 70% of people live in cities, a figure expected to increase to over 80% by mid-century. This means 36 million new urban citizens needing housing, employment and care by 2050 (European Commission, n.d.a). This brings several challenges such as climate change, migration, and spatial inequalities, puts (green) urban planning among the main professions to deliver the key strategic priorities on political agendas (both at the EU and international level) for the near future. In this framework, several concepts and approaches have been developed to drive the transition to more sustainable, inclusive societies. This includes, of course, life in cities. The EU Cohesion Policy Funds (ERDF Art.7–9) has earmarked 5% of its funding for sustainable urban development, including the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). Recent efforts are increasingly devoted to promoting Sustainable Urban Planning (SUP) and designing smart and green cities (SGC).

Policy context and regulation

The legislation dealing with urban planning spans across different thematic areas. In the area of biodiversity, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 integrates NBS and the related ecosystem services along with urban challenges and the role of SUP in the sustainability transition. According to the strategy, the promotion of healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure (GI) and NBS should be systematically integrated into urban planning, including public spaces, infrastructure and the design of buildings and their surroundings. To facilitate this work, the Commission set up an EU Platform for Urban Greening with cities and mayors in 2021 under a new ‘Green City Accord’, to fund the implementation of techniques for clean and healthy cities for Europe. In February 2021, the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change was launched as one of the key priorities of the EU Green Deal (2019). The strategy has four main objectives: to make adaptation smarter, swifter and more systemic, and to step up international action on adaptation to climate change.  

As regards the water, coastal areas and marine environment, the Floods Directive (2007) recognised that floods are one of the most common and most dangerous natural hazards affecting European cities. Ecosystem-based approaches and NBS can support and enhance the resilience of coastal areas and restore the quality and service provisioning of marine ecosystems. This approach is acknowledged both by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008) and by the Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (2014).

Regarding circular economy, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is part of the new Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) and focuses on the implementation of circular solutions at the local and regional scales, pushing spatial planning to intervene in markets to provide long-term space for low-value, circular activities. The Sustainable and Circular Reuse of Spaces and Buildings Handbook (2020) was published with the intention to serve as a guide for cities on how to re-use abandoned and underused spaces and buildings.  

Finally, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, revised in 2018, aims to support the EU in reaching the building and renovation goals set out in the EU Green Deal.  

Trends in (green) urban planning in the EU

The following trends represent a broad overview of the key directions in green urban planning in Europe.

1. Sustainable Transport: Development of extensive cycling infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly zones, and the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (European Commission, n.d.c).
2. Renewable Energy Integration: Initiatives to install solar panels on buildings, construct wind turbines, and utilise geothermal energy for heating and cooling systems. Additionally, smart grid technologies are being implemented to optimise energy distribution and consumption (ACER, n.d.a).
3. Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity: Creation of green roofs, vertical gardens, and urban agriculture initiatives. European projects in this area include The European Green Capital Award and the Green City Accord. (Eurocities, n.d.a; Biodiversity Information System for Europe, n.d.a)
4. Climate Resilience: Measures to improve water management systems to mitigate flooding, incorporating green stormwater infrastructure, and implementing heat island reduction strategies (European Commission, n.d.d)
5. Circular Economy and Waste Management: Initiatives to promote recycling programs, encourage sustainable waste management practices, and support local circular economy initiatives (European Commission, n.d.e).
6. Smart City Technologies: Implementation of smart grids, intelligent transportation systems, smart buildings with energy management systems, and the use of data analytics to make informed decisions in urban planning. (European Commission, n.d.f)  
7. Twin digital cities: The use of Digital Twins (DT) applied to urban planning is justified by the need to assess urban dynamics not just in real time, but even in advance, in order to ensure the efficiency and positive impact of new urban projects (Caprari et al., 2022). The European Commission is working on the development of an Earth Digital Twin (Destination Earth-DestinE, European Commission, n.d.g), a cloud-based platform to receive and share in various types of data, to support the decision-makers of the Member States with respect to the emerging issues of land–sea–city ecosystems.
8. Community Engagement and Participation: Involvement of citizens in decision-making processes, seeking public input, and considering social equity aspects to ensure that the benefits of green urban planning are shared by all residents (JRC, n.d.a).

Green urban planners supporting the European Green Deal

Urban planners will increasingly play a crucial role in delivering the European Green Deal in cities and urban areas across Europe. They will be tasked to bring forward a shared, acceptable long-term vision to ensure EU cities become more and more sustainable and liveable for their citizens. As such, urban planners will bridge the gap between policy frameworks and practical implementation by coordinating various stakeholders, managing resources, and monitoring progress. Their ability to envision sustainable futures, engage stakeholders, and develop comprehensive strategies makes them instrumental in shaping cities that are resilient, environmentally friendly, and socially equitable.

The European Green Deal steps up efforts on climate-proofing, resilience-building, prevention and preparedness. SUP approaches, included in nature-based solutions, are a key component of the transformational change needed to adapt to climate change and help ongoing efforts to limit it (European Commission, DG RTD, 2022). Furthermore, municipal authorities, and the urban planners they employ can directly promote change in policy domains and services which impact the environment and the health of citizens (Cedefop, 2022). In this context, (green) urban planners are and will increasingly be pivotal actors to drive the change needed to achieve a green transition and a fully circular economy, for several reasons: 

1. Sustainable Mobility: Urban planners are instrumental in promoting sustainable transportation systems. They can design and develop well-connected networks of public transportation, pedestrian-friendly streets, and cycling infrastructure. By prioritizing these modes of transport over private cars, urban planners can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve air quality. They can also encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into transportation systems (European Commission, 2023).
2. Energy Efficiency: Urban planners can contribute to the green transition by promoting energy-efficient buildings and neighbourhoods. They can enforce building codes and regulations that require sustainable design features, such as efficient insulation, renewable energy installations, and green roofs. By planning for compact and mixed-use developments, they can reduce energy consumption and promote walkability, reducing the need for long commutes and associated energy use (Gerundo & Marra, 2022).  
3. Spatial Planning: Urban planners are responsible for the spatial organisation and development of cities and regions. They have the expertise to design and implement sustainable land use plans, ensuring the efficient use of resources and reducing environmental impacts. By integrating green infrastructure, such as parks, green spaces, and urban forests, into their plans, urban planners can enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, mitigate climate change, provide recreational opportunities for residents and foster social cohesion (Adelphi, n.d.a).
4. Resilient Infrastructure: As climate change impacts become more evident, urban planners play a critical role in ensuring the resilience of cities and regions. They can incorporate climate adaptation strategies into their plans, such as designing flood-resilient infrastructure, preserving natural waterways, and creating green spaces that can absorb excess rainfall. By considering the long-term impacts of climate change, urban planners can help communities adapt to changing conditions and reduce vulnerabilities (JRC, n.d.b.)
5. Community Engagement: Urban planners are skilled facilitators of community engagement processes. They can involve citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process, ensuring that the green transition is inclusive and addresses the needs and aspirations of local communities. By fostering collaboration and participation, urban planners can build support for sustainable initiatives and create a sense of ownership among residents (Friends of Europe, 2020).

Finally, urban planners can bridge the gap between policy frameworks and practical implementation by coordinating various stakeholders, managing resources, and monitoring progress.

Which skills are needed, and how can demand be satisfied?

The professional profile of urban planners is multidisciplinary, reflecting a demand for a broader range of expertise. For this, urban planners need to possess technical skills, be well versed in urban planning, and excel in soft skills like communication, negotiation, and persuasion. In their professional capacity they are expected to act as facilitators between communities, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organisations, translating technical knowledge into actionable plans and strategies. To cultivate such a multidisciplinary skill set, it is essential to promote more targeted training opportunities that aim to develop holistic, comprehensive profiles of urban planners. Public-private partnership can play a role in this regard, fostering the development and delivery of specific learning opportunities tailored to the evolving needs of urban planning professionals.

Skills Needed

Table 1 reports the key technical skills and knowledge that urban planners should possess, according to the ESCO  classification:

Source: ESCO

Expert opinion on the key qualifications needed to work as a (green) urban planner indicates that university education at a planning school with up-to-date curriculum on sustainability planning would be necessary. This can be under- or post-graduate education, the latter preferably following a master’s degree in earth-related sciences (geography, geometry, landscape architecture, (civil) engineering; or social and political sciences).

As emerged from desk research and as confirmed by expert opinion, urban planners should possess the knowledge and expertise to integrate various aspects of sustainability into urban development. They should be able to holistically consider the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability and ensure that green initiatives are seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric. Hence, they should have a deep understanding of fundamentals of biodiversity and climates crises and how nature-based solutions can help mitigate and adapt to those changes.

Importantly, urban planners should possess great communication skills to provide expert advice on creating regulations, guidelines, and incentives that encourage environmentally friendly practices, such as energy-efficient building standards, green infrastructure requirements, and sustainable transportation policies. They will be increasingly required to act as advocates for sustainability, raising awareness about the benefits of the green transition and promoting behaviour change among residents, businesses, and policymakers. As such, they should be able to effectively communicate the importance of sustainable practices, encourage public participation, and inspire communities to actively engage in sustainable urban development.

Furthermore, as also confirmed by expert opinion, they should master marketing, negotiation and outreach skills. In fact, they should act as facilitators in engaging stakeholders, including communities, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They can bring together diverse perspectives, foster collaboration, and create a shared vision for sustainable urban development. By involving stakeholders in decision-making processes, planners can ensure that the green transition aligns with the needs and aspirations of the local population. Urban planners should also have the ability to adopt a long-term perspective in their work. They should be able to anticipate future challenges and design sustainable urban systems that are resilient to environmental changes.  

Finally, given the rapid technological changes occurring in the sector, green urban planners should always stay informed about the latest research, innovations, and best practices in sustainability. Linked to the emergence of new technological tools in the urban planning sector, significant changes are expected to take place in the roles of city managers and urban planners (Michelucci et al., 2016). Transversal skills that will be increasingly required from urban planners include: Data analytics, Legal (GDPR, AI ethics), Cybersecurity, and Data manipulation (AI, machine learning) skills. As emerged from expert opinion (green) urban planners will need to be able to manage the potential pitfalls of AI technologies.  

In the context of the current report, job opportunities published on online platforms were selected and analysed. A couple of observations emerge: 

• The positions analysed, and most positions encountered during the exercise, were for senior roles, requiring several years of experience. This reflects what was highlighted by expert opinion: urban planners tend to have rather senior roles, as they are primarily tasked with the development of an overarching vision and a strategy to implement sustainable changes in cities. Such senior profiles then rely on junior, technical profiles to execute the suggested changes.  
• Education attainment at tertiary level is required. This should be in Architecture, Engineering, Urban/Town Planning, or Environmental Studies. In addition, specific professional training or certifications are often required. As previously discussed, this was confirmed by expert opinion. However, experts stressed, the key qualifier is experience gained on the job, for instance by engaging in domestic and international associations of sustainability planners.  
• Communication and presentation skills are essential, as also emerged from the desk research and experts’ inputs. City designers spend a lot of time each day liaising with co-workers and stakeholders, which can include members of the local community, farmers, property developers and landowners. Having strong verbal and written communication skills helps them pitch ideas to members of the city planning team or communicate design plans to the public. Strong communication skills are especially important when interacting with local community representatives. City planners who can clearly and concisely explain complex technical terms using simple language often appear more reliable and trustworthy to them.

How can the demand for skills be met? 

As discussed in the previous section, that of the urban planner is an increasingly multidisciplinary profile. Therefore, it will be essential that education opportunities and training initiatives take a holistic approach in delivering their contents. As also highlighted by expert opinion, the organisations employing (green) urban planners should promote and facilitate upskilling and reskilling opportunities, encouraging their employees to engage in long-life learning and capacity (re)development, often including a process of unlearning unsustainable practices and (re)learning more sustainable approaches to attain for sustainable urban development.  

A recent study by Cedefop  (2022) which identified the occupations, jobs and skills needed to enable cities to transition towards a ‘greener’ and ‘smarter’/more intelligent and sustainable future and to explore what role vocational education and training (VET) can play in the process. The study highlights that cities are expected to face challenges in attracting, finding and recruiting people to key SGC jobs and regularly upskilling their workforce. Furthermore, it is expected that finding urban space specialists will continue to be challenging, due to the overall skill shortages for professionals in smart green management and skill gaps. The European Investment Bank (EIB) recently published the results of its 2022 Municipality survey, covering 744 municipalities across the European Union. The survey, focusing on the challenges municipalities face in their digital and green transitions, and the progress they have made in these domains, reveals that 69% of municipalities lack experts with environmental and climate assessment skills, as well as technical and engineering expertise. This poses a serious problem for the implementation of local investment programmes funded by the EIB. The survey therefore highlights the critical importance of providing necessary training to the current and future labour force.  

Several drivers of current and future skill shortages were identified. These include:

• Competition from other cities looking for the same competences  
• Insufficient supply of adequate profiles from higher education  
• Rapid technological change which makes it difficult for the workforce to be constantly updated on the latest developments.   

Furthermore, learning and training opportunities at the city and municipal level appear to be insufficient to effectively reskill or upskill staff in line with the needs of SGCs. Finally, jobs and careers in the green economy are still not perceived as particularly attractive to VET learners and graduates. This was also confirmed by one expert, who in fact stressed the need to better market the profession to make it more attractive to students and young professionals. While there is no data to substantiate this, expert opinion indicates that it is reasonable to assume that recruiting (green) urban planners with the multidisciplinary set of skills discussed above is potentially very challenging. In case of skill shortages, experts report, organisations may turn to the available professionals with outdated/unsustainable old skill sets.  

As reported by Cedefop  (2022), VET (both Initial [IVET] and Continuous [CVET]) can potentially play a key role in meeting the future skill needs of smart, green cities. To align the content and focus of IVET and CVET programmes to SGC and wider skill needs, curricula need to be adapted to local, regional and national needs and trends. For this to happen, local stakeholders (municipal authorities, social partners, major employers, learners, VET providers, local /regional innovation platforms) need to be involved in the design and development of training opportunities. Therefore, public-private partnerships should be promoted to ensure there is sufficient availability of adequate training opportunities for new and existing urban planners. The table below outlines the adequate training opportunities for different occupations needed in smart green cities. As it can be observed, both IVET and CVET are considered suitable options to train urban space specialists.

Figure 1. VET pathways to providing skills for smart green cities

Source: Cedefop  (2022)  

Importantly, CVET will be crucial not only to upskill adults in their current jobs, but also to reskill adults and help them transition into smart, green city jobs. 

Figure 2. How CVET can support upskilling and reskilling (expert views)

Source: Cedefop (2022)

In what follows, we present a few existing learning opportunities, particularly for young students, to train them and attract them to the occupation of (green) urban planners. These examples provide a glimpse into the types of training opportunities available for urban planners in Europe. 

The key role of VET 

To achieve sustainable development, urban planners need a diverse set of technical skills and knowledge, including architecture regulations, building codes, environmental policy, green space strategies, zoning codes, and more. Additionally, they require transversal skills such as data analytics, legal knowledge, cybersecurity, and data manipulation due to the rapid technological changes in the sector.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays a crucial role in meeting the future skill needs of smart green cities. Both Initial (IVET) and Continuous (CVET) VET programmes can be adapted to local, regional, and national needs and trends. Public-private partnerships should be promoted to design and develop training opportunities for urban planners, involving local stakeholders, major employers, VET providers, and learners. CVET is especially important for upskilling and reskilling adults in their current jobs and facilitating their transition into smart green city roles.

To attract and train the next generation of urban planners, various learning opportunities are available, particularly for young students. Examples include summer school courses on Urban Studies, training in Urban Mobility, and Smart Cities courses. By offering comprehensive and relevant training opportunities, the demand for skilled (green) urban planners can be satisfied, supporting the European Green Deal, and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Overall, (green) urban planners are pivotal for achieving sustainable and resilient urban development. With the right skills and training opportunities, they can play a key role in shaping cities that are environmentally friendly, socially equitable, and economically prosperous.  

References  

Bolton, R.N.; McColl-Kennedy, J.R.; Cheung, L.; Gallan, A.; Orsingher, C.;Witell, L.; Zaki, M. (2018). Customer experience challenges: Bringing together digital, physical and social realms. J. Serv. Manag., 29, 776–808. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341251035_Customer_experience_challenges_bringing_together_digital_physical_and_social_realm

Caprari, G.; Castelli, G.; Montuori, M.; Camardelli, M.; Malvezzi, R. (2022). Digital Twin for Urban Planning in the Green Deal Era: A State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Zustainability 2022, 14, 6263. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106263

Cedefop. (2021). The green employment and skills transformation. Insights from a European Green Deal skills forecast scenario. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications/4206  

Cedefop. (2022). Cities in transition: How vocational education and training can help cities become smarter and greener. Policy Brief. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/9172_en.pdf

European Commission. (2015). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52015DC0614  

European Commission. (2019). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The European Green Deal. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:b828d165-1c22-11ea-8c1f-01aa75ed71a1.0002.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

European Commission. (2020). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. A new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1583933814386&uri=COM:2020:98:FIN  

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. (2022). The vital role of nature-based solutions in a nature positive economy –, Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/307761  

Michelucci, F.V., De Marco, A. and Tanda, A. (2016). Defining the role of the smart-city manager: an analysis of responsibilities and skills. Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 23, No 3, pp. 23-42 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10630732.2016.1164439?journalCode=cjut20  

Gerundo, R.; Marra, A. (2022). A Decision Support Methodology to Foster Renewable Energy Communities in the Municipal Urban Plan. Sustainability, 14, 16268. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su142316268  

Online resources  

Biodiversity Information System for Europe. (n.d.a). Green Infrastructure. https://biodiversity.europa.eu/green-infrastructure

Eurocities (n.d.a). https://eurocities.eu/goals/green-areas-and-biodiversity/  

European Commission. (n.d.a). Nature-based solutions research policy. https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions/research-policy_en

European Commission. (n.d.b). Sustainable urban development. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/themes/urban-development_en  

European Commission. (n.d.c). European Climate Pact - Green Transport. https://climate-pact.europa.eu/about/priority-topics/green-transport_en  

European Commission (n.d.d). Climate adaptation in cities. https://commission.europa.eu/eu-regional-and-urban-development/topics/cities-and-urban-development/priority-themes-eu-cities/climate-adaptation-cities_en

European Commission (n.d.e). Circular economy in cities. https://commission.europa.eu/eu-regional-and-urban-development/topics/cities-and-urban-development/priority-themes-eu-cities/circular-economy-cities_en

European Commission (n.d.f). Smart cities. https://commission.europa.eu/eu-regional-and-urban-development/topics/cities-and-urban-development/city-initiatives/smart-cities_en

European Commission (n.d.g) https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/destination-earth  

European Commission. (2023). Combining citizens’ involvement and urban planning to foster active mobility in cities. https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/node/570  

European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). (n.d.a). Energy System Integration. https://www.acer.europa.eu/green-deal/energy-system-integration  

Joint Research Centre (JRC). (n.d.a). Urban Data Platform Plus – the citizen’s city. https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcities/the-citizens-city#the-chapter  

Joint Research Centre (JRC). (n.d.b). Urban Data Platform Plus – The resilient city. https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcities/the-resilien-city#the-chapter