PicoBuddy

What Does an Urban Planner Do?

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryInformational3 min read
Image for What Does an Urban Planner Do?

What Does an Urban Planner Do?

Have you ever wondered who decides where new buildings should go or how parks are designed in a city? That's where urban planners come in! Urban planners are like the architects of communities. They help shape the places where we live, work, and play.

Designing Communities

Urban planners are responsible for creating plans for the growth and development of cities, towns, and even entire regions. They think about things like where houses should be built, where businesses should be located, and how to make sure everyone has access to important services like schools and hospitals. They want to make communities that are safe, fun, and easy for people to get around in.

Transportation and Getting Around

One big part of urban planning is transportation. Planners figure out the best ways for people to travel. This includes roads for cars, bike paths, and public transportation like buses and trains. They try to make it easy for people to get where they need to go without causing traffic jams or pollution. Imagine if your town didn't have sidewalks or crosswalks! Urban planners help make sure that doesn't happen.

Making Green Spaces

Glossary
Urban Planner:
A person who creates plans for the growth and development of cities and towns.
Transportation:
Ways for people to travel, like roads, bike paths, and buses.
Green Spaces:
Parks, gardens, and other natural areas in a city.
access:
The ability or right to get, use, or enter something.
pollution:
Harmful materials that make the air, water, or land dirty.
feedback:
Opinions or advice given to help make something better.

One passage, many ways to practice

Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.

  • Main Idea

    Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.

  • Context Clues

    Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.

  • Summarize

    Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.

  • Structure

    Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.

  • Writing Prompts

    Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.

  • Fix the Sentence

    Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.

Pico points towards the free sign-up options

Ready to use this passage in class?

Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.

Sign up with emailLog in

Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1What is the main job of an urban planner?
  2. 2What are some of the things urban planners think about when planning a community?

Where this passage belongs

You Might Also Like

Image for Golden Petals and Sweet Smiles: Symbols of Remembrance
Upper ElementaryExplanatory Article • Informational
Image for Honoring Memories: The Joyful Tradition of Día de los Muertos
Upper ElementaryExplanatory Article • Informational

About this informational passage for Upper Elementary

“What Does an Urban Planner Do?” is a informational reading passage about Urban Planning, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (392 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “What Does an Urban Planner Do?” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “What Does an Urban Planner Do?”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a informational text about Urban Planning, about a 3-minute read (392 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.