Urban and Regional Planning (BURPl)

Prepare for a planning career in the private, public or not-for-profit sector. Typical roles include:  

• Environmental planner: Promotes environmental protection through planning and design

• Planning caseworker: Addresses planning disputes

• Municipal land-use planner: Reviews applications for development or redevelopment; advising proponents, staff and citizen groups

• Site planner: Develops urban design concepts and ideas in three-dimensional forms

• Development planner: Coordinates subdivision approvals, development permits and building inspections

• Community planner: Works with community groups to enhance their participation in development

• Planning analyst: Coordinates a wide variety of studies, including statistical, fiscal, and land use analyses and transportation studies

• International development planner: Helps agencies in developing countries to produce plans and policies

Career trends:

• In 2016, urban planning ranked second on Canadian Business' annual guide to Canada's Best Jobs (external link) , with a median salary of $85,010, a salary growth of +15 percent from 2009-15, 10,500 total employees and a +30 percent change in employees from 2009-15

• Recent surveys find that the majority of our students who have graduated within the past five years demand salaries ranging between $40,000 and $80,000

• Just over 55 percent of our graduates are employed in the public sector (working for cities, towns, regions, provinces, territories, and the federal government)

• 40 percent of our graduates are employed in the private sector (working in consulting firms, law firms, real estate development firms, retail firms and service firms)

• Almost five percent of our graduates are employed in the non-profit sector (working for industry associations, social agencies, non-profit housing groups and community centres)

The School of Urban and Regional Planning is home to one of the largest and oldest planning programs in North America.

Our rigorous curriculum integrates classroom learning opportunities with professional experience. The opportunity to undertake hands-on assignments and projects for actual clients will provide you with a strong foundation in the planning process.

Toronto — one of the most diverse cities in the world — will become your living laboratory. Studios, internship placements and research opportunities maximize connections with the city we live in.

Multidisciplinary centres such as City Building TMU and the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development will engage you with critical urban challenges, alongside a community of experts, citizens and advocates.

Plus — we support your success with:

• National and international field research project destinations
• International student exchanges
• Opportunities for leadership development within student groups
• A computer lab, dedicated studio space and student lounges

Whether you're a high school, college or university graduate, take advantage of three pathways for completing a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning.

Full-time, Four-year (PLAN):

• Program length: Four years of full-time study.

• Eligibility: High school graduates with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent). More admission requirements.

• Transfer credits: Students eligible for transfer credits will be assessed by an admissions officer and notified during the admissions process. Only select credits are transferable.

Full-time, Post-Baccalaureate Degree Completion (PLAB):

• Program length: Two years of full-time study.

• Eligibility: Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited English language university, including a minimum of six liberal studies courses. More admission requirements.

• Transfer credits: Students can apply for transfer credits for ECN 104 and PLG 240, however, in lieu of these credits another professional or professionally-related elective must be taken. Only select credits are transferable.
  

• Additional requirement: Students must complete  (PDF file) CVUP 100 Foundations of Planning prior to their entry into the program.

Please note that CVUP-100: Foundations of Planning will be offered virtually in summer 2023. The course will run from August 10 to August 30, 2023 from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. each day (for a total of 15 days and 75 hours of synchronous and asynchronous instruction). Active participation in all course activities and successful completion of CVUP-100 is a mandatory requirement for admissions into the PLAB and PLAD programs. Students who have been admitted into the program will receive instructions on how to log-on and participate prior to the start of classes.

Full-time, Post-Diploma Degree Completion (PLAD):

• Program length: Two years of full-time study.

• Eligibility: College graduates with an Urban and Regional Planning Technician-Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Diploma from Mohawk College or the GIS and Urban Planning Diploma from Fanshawe College with a minimum cumulative average of 'B'. More admission requirements.

• Transfer credits: Students can apply for transfer credits for ECN 104 and PLG 240, however, in lieu of these credits another professional or professionally-related elective must be taken.
  

• Additional requirement: Students must complete  (PDF file) CVUP 100 Foundations of Planning prior to their entry into the program.

Please note that CVUP-100: Foundations of Planning will be offered virtually in summer 2023. The course will run from August 10 to August 30, 2023 from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. each day (for a total of 15 days and 75 hours of synchronous and asynchronous instruction). Active participation in all course activities and successful completion of CVUP-100 is a mandatory requirement for admissions into the PLAB and PLAD programs. Students who have been admitted into the program will receive instructions on how to log-on and participate prior to the start of classes.

At Toronto Met, we translate real-world planning issues into an engaging curriculum that challenges you to make an impact.

Diverse learning opportunities in the classroom and in the field will support you to develop substantive knowledge on cities and regions as well as the problem-solving skills needed for career flexibility and lifelong learning.

A blend of academic studies and professional education will challenge you to develop a strong foundation in both theory and practice.

In your studios and professional field placement electives, you'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to practice while solving  planning problems for clients.

Field research trips to national and international destinations and the chance to go on exchange will engage you with planning issues across the globe.

Opportunities to explore other disciplines, whether by pursuing a minor or taking elective courses, will challenge you to broaden your horizons.

You can even pursue specific topics of interest — under the guidance of a faculty member — through independent study (PLE 775) and/or research (PLE 806).

When you apply to the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning program, you'll be required to meet a number of admission requirements.

You'll need to meet certain deadlines when submitting your application online and may be required to submit supporting documents.