Construction & Built Environment
Urban & Regional Planner
You plan how towns and cities grow, housing, transport, parks and services.
- Starting salary
- R20 000 – R32 000
- Job demand
- Emerging
- Key subjects
- Geography, Mathematics
What do they do?
You plan how towns and cities grow, housing, transport, parks and services.
A day in the life
You study maps and data, consult communities, write plans and advise municipalities.
Skills you need
- Big-picture thinking
- Research
- Communication
- Geography
School subjects that help
- Geography
- Mathematics
- English
How long does it take?
3 main steps after school, usually 3–6 years of study, plus practical experience.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2BSc/BTRP Town Planning
- 3Candidate planner
- 4Registered planner (SACPLAN)
Ways in: University degree · University of Technology. University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Cape Town
- North-West University
- Tshwane University of Technology
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R20 000 – R32 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R35 000 – R60 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R65 000 – R110 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Map your neighbourhood and note what's missing
- • Learn Google Earth
- • Attend a community meeting
Try this career
Redesign your local taxi rank or park on a hand-drawn map.
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