The Many Types of Construction Contractor

An urban or town planner may be used by a developer or by a city council when a new and large development is being planned. The services of an urban planner may be needed even before drawings and schemes are created for that development, and they may also be needed during the construction phase. If you're a developer, note when and why you may want to hire an urban planner, and how their services can benefit you.

You need to direct traffic to your development

If you build a strip mall on a busy street, you may not need to direct traffic to your development, since roads and vehicle traffic in and out of your development will already be in place. However, if you want to develop an apartment complex that is within a residential neighbourhood, you may want to discuss with an urban planner the roads that are needed to direct traffic to the complex and to ease traffic congestion. If your development will be near a freeway, an urban planner can note if there should be a new exit ramp constructed. This will ensure you get adequate traffic and resultant business to your development.

Your development will appeal to a limited number of people

If you're building an apartment complex, you may want to place it in a part of the city that is populated by singles, retirees, or those who will want an apartment versus a house. If you're developing an upscale shopping centre, it should be located where there are professionals who will frequent those types of shops. Urban planners will understand the standard population in any area and whether it will support your development plans, so you can then build close to your expected customers, and your development will be as successful as possible.

Your development may involve renewal

Building on vacant land is different than building on land that needs renewal, meaning that there is already infrastructure on the land, such as a commercial building or vacant home. That infrastructure can also include old plumbing pipes and buried power lines. If the lot on which you want to build already has a structure that needs demolition, an urban planner can help your engineers come up with the best plans for how to remove it without damaging any other infrastructure and how to create a design for your new development that fits nearby areas that are already developed. They can also ensure you don't tear down a historically important structure or other landmark.