Urban Planner | Regional Development Analyst

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Urban Planner and Regional Development Analyst to drive sustainable urban growth and regional development strategies. This full-time position based in Abu Dhabi involves land-use planning, spatial analysis, demographic research, infrastructure evaluation, and policy development aimed at fostering economic opportunity and enhancing quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate urban planning strategies, regional development frameworks, and land-use plans that align with long-range growth goals.
• Analyze urban expansion trends, demographic shifts, housing demands, and regional development patterns.
• Conduct economic, employment, infrastructure capacity, and land-use research relevant to planning initiatives.
• Assess proposed residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments for their compliance with development policies and objectives.
• Prepare spatial plans, zoning recommendations, technical reports, and development proposals.
• Evaluate land suitability through analysis of infrastructure, accessibility, environmental factors, current use, and growth potential.
• Utilize GIS tools to investigate land parcels, transportation networks, development corridors, and demographic patterns.
• Interpret diverse data sources including maps, satellite imagery, cadastral records, planning documentation, and demographic datasets.
• Determine regional infrastructure requirements covering transportation, utilities, healthcare, education, and public amenities.
• Identify prospects for urban regeneration, transit-oriented development, brownfield redevelopment, and improved land utilization.
• Perform feasibility and preliminary studies for urban and regional projects.
• Analyze regional economic performance and pinpoint investment and employment growth opportunities.
• Support preparation of strategic investment frameworks, regional development plans, and infrastructure proposals.
• Assess social, economic, environmental, and spatial impacts of planning initiatives integrating sustainability principles like climate resilience.
• Review zoning, planning regulations, development controls, and policy documentation.
• Coordinate with government agencies, planning authorities, consultants, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Lead stakeholder engagement including consultations, public sessions, workshops, and review meetings, gathering community feedback.
• Develop demographic forecasts, land-use projections, development scenarios, and growth models.
• Establish indicators to track housing accessibility, infrastructure provision, economic activity, and urban development performance.
• Create GIS maps, dashboards, charts, and analytical materials to convey findings.
• Review planning applications for conformity with policies and identify conflicts across development proposals.
• Recommend solutions to challenges like traffic congestion, uneven growth, housing shortages, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
• Participate in environmental planning, coordinating with ecological experts on constraints and mitigations.
• Stay informed on evolving planning legislation, population trends, and economic conditions.
• Maintain accurate records of data, reports, consultations, and assumptions.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, policy briefs, feasibility analyses, and recommendations for senior and public-sector stakeholders.
• Manage project timelines, research activities, consultant collaborations, and delivery of planning outputs.
• Advocate improvements to spatial planning techniques, regional analytical frameworks, and evidence-based decision-making processes.

Qualification & Experience

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Geography, Urban Studies, Regional Development, Economics, Public Policy, or related fields.
• Proven professional experience in urban and regional planning, land-use analysis, economic and infrastructure development planning.
• Deep understanding of urban development principles, zoning frameworks, land-use regulations, and planning systems.
• Competence in demographic analysis, population forecasting, and regional economic indicators.
• Skilled in preparing planning reports, assessments, research documentation, and policy proposals.
• Experience with GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS, and spatial data management.
• Ability to interpret maps, planning documents, cadastral and infrastructure data effectively.
• Knowledge of transportation planning, housing development, public amenities, and infrastructure coordination.
• Strong analytical skills for complex data interpretation and development pattern identification.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, forecasting models, and scenario planning beneficial.
• Understanding of sustainability, climate resilience, green infrastructure, and environmental urban planning.
• Insight into regional economic development strategies, investment planning, and associated metrics.
• Awareness of relevant planning legislation, development control processes, and public consultation protocols.
• Excellent communication skills for report writing and presentation delivery.
• Proficient in stakeholder engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Project coordination skills with planners, engineers, economists, environmental experts, and agencies.
• Detail-oriented approach with focus on data integrity, transparency, and ethical practice.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, for analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with planning databases, spatial modelling, and visualization platforms is advantageous.
• Capability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Professional memberships or eligibility for registration where applicable is an asset.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration and employee benefits package.
• Opportunity to influence urban regeneration and regional development.
• Professional growth in spatial planning, GIS, and policy research.
• Exposure to diverse development projects including residential, commercial, and infrastructure.
• Collaboration with diverse professionals including planners, economists, engineers, and policymakers.
• Work environment fostering analytical rigor, sustainability, and data-driven decisions.
• Access to planning tools, research resources, and continuing education.
• Participation in strategic planning, feasibility studies, and regional investment initiatives.
• Recognition for innovative strategies and successful project outcomes.
• Career progression paths toward senior urban planning and regional development leadership roles.