Four children are born every second. The rapidly growing world population is dependent on raw materials, food, shelter and a functioning economy. This does not seem to be compatible with environmental protection. But global problems such as climate change and the scarcity of resources show that life on this planet is only possible if we protect the environment. People increasingly have to deal with how to use the earth’s surface as sustainably as possible. This urgently needs skilled workers.
Environmental planners have the difficult task of planning the development and agricultural use of the earth in such a way that the natural balance does not get completely mixed up. In doing so, they often have to mediate between various interest groups such as companies, residents, farmers, politicians and environmentalists.
An overview of the environmental planning course
According to jibin123, degree programs in the field of environmental planning provide students with the knowledge they need to make the use of landscapes as sustainable as possible. Environmental planning is an interdisciplinary course : the curriculum covers the basics of subjects such as biology , sociology , engineering and landscape architecture .
Bachelor degree
At the beginning of the bachelor’s degree, the curriculum includes subjects from natural sciences such as soil science, climatology or geology . The students get to know the native plants and animal species and deal with global warming. They also learn how to use the most important tools and methods in landscape planning . This includes, for example, geographic information systems or the analysis of landscapes. In the various usage and care concepts, sociological and economic aspects are also taken into account. Subjects such as law and environmental policy are also on the curriculum.
In the higher semesters, students can set their own priorities. Depending on the university, you can choose from urban planning , forest ecology or regional development. Practical projects and excursions complement the theoretical lectures and seminars.
Master’s degree
If you are toying with assuming a management position later , you cannot avoid a master’s degree. The master’s programs are also interdisciplinary and include content from the areas of landscape and spatial planning, environmental assessment and resource protection. Depending on the university, students can set their own priorities and specialize in topics such as climate change, tourism or development cooperation. The courses in the master’s area are also very practice-oriented. The lessons are partly in English.
Study environmental planning: requirements
Both universities and technical colleges offer courses in environmental planning. The programs are alternatively called landscape planning or spatial planning. In some courses, environmental planning and landscape architecture are combined.
Applicants should be interested in nature and environmental protection and enjoy scientific contexts. A certain technical understanding is also required for the engineering content . In later professional life, certain soft skills such as communication skills and creativity are also required.
Occupational fields
Various professional fields are open to graduates of the Environmental Planning course. Many work in public administration . Here they work, for example, in specialist authorities or in project offices of the municipalities, states or the federal government. Nature conservation authorities are particularly popular as employers. But landscape conservation and tourism associations also offer jobs.
In the private sector, environmental planners work in engineering and planning offices , for trade associations and other companies. Environmental planners also find an area of activity in the tourism industry. Some banks and insurance companies also hire environmental planners. In addition, graduates work in educational institutions or in environmental policy . A master’s degree also enables the path to university research and teaching.
Anyone who intends to work abroad has a chance of finding a job with international organizations or NGOs . Areas of activity here would be, for example, technical cooperation or development cooperation.
Semester abroad – advantages for environmental planners
Anyone interested in working in international organizations and commercial enterprises should definitely gain experience abroad during their studies. One or more semesters abroad offer the ideal opportunity for this. Ultimately, you can gain intercultural skills and expand or optimize your knowledge of foreign languages. At the same time, there is the opportunity to get to know other concepts of environmental planning and to sharpen your view of global environmental problems .
