How over is it?

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AI exposure Life, physical and social science

Will AI replace urban and regional planners?

Urban and Regional Planners. US occupation 19-3051.

9.6%

of the time urban and regional planners spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of urban and regional planners' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 189 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 74% of them.Further along than 74% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Well above the typical job.Ahead of most of the workforce.

What AI already does for urban and regional plannersWhat urban and regional planners no longer do alone

O*NET lists 25 tasks for urban and regional planners. AI use at work shows up in 1 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Research, compile, analyze and organize information from maps, reports, investigations, and books for use in reports and special projects. mostly automated 0.92

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

24 of the 25 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.Core task
  • Advocate sustainability to community groups, government agencies, the general public, or special interest groups.Core task
  • Assess the feasibility of land use proposals and identify necessary changes.Core task
  • Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.Core task
  • Coordinate work with economic consultants or architects during the formulation of plans or the design of large pieces of infrastructure.Core task
  • Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.Core task
Show the other 18
  • Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.Core task
  • Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on land use projects.Core task
  • Develop plans for public or alternative transportation systems for urban or regional locations to reduce carbon output associated with transportation.Core task
  • Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.Core task
  • Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.Core task
  • Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.Core task
  • Identify opportunities or develop plans for sustainability projects or programs to improve energy efficiency, minimize pollution or waste, or restore natural systems.Core task
  • Investigate property availability for purposes of development.Core task
  • Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.Core task
  • Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.Core task
  • Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.Core task
  • Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private or public planning projects or programs.Core task
  • Supervise or coordinate the work of urban planning technicians or technologists.Core task
  • Conduct interviews, surveys and site inspections concerning factors that affect land usage, such as zoning, traffic flow and housing.
  • Prepare reports, using statistics, charts, and graphs, to illustrate planning studies in areas such as population, land use, or zoning.
  • Prepare, develop and maintain maps and databases.
  • Prepare, maintain and update files and records, including land use data and statistics.
  • Respond to public inquiries and complaints.

How that compares

Among the 46 life, physical and social science occupations, urban and regional planners rank 20. The group averages 12.2%, and its most exposed job is Political Scientists at 45.2%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 188Microbiologists 9.7%
  2. 189Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other 9.6%
  3. 189Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers 9.6%

Just below

  1. 192Nurse Practitioners 9.4%
  2. 193Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks 9.3%
  3. 193Veterinarians 9.3%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.