Associate Urban Planner - Planning

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,880 - 290,160; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd is seeking an Associate Urban Planner in Dubai. This hybrid role involves evaluating urban development proposals, conducting research, and preparing technical reports for city planning initiatives.

The ideal candidate should have at least 8 years of urban planning experience, with a strong understanding of land use planning and GIS systems. This position offers the chance to work on significant urban improvement projects.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in urban planning.
• Strong understanding of land use planning and zoning review.
• Proficiency in GIS platforms and technical presentation tools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate urban development proposals and zoning applications.
• Conduct research on planning regulations and demographic trends.
• Prepare technical reports and stakeholder documentation.

Skills

Urban planning

Town planning

Land use planning

Master planning support

Zoning analysis

Development proposal review

GIS mapping

CAD tools

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering or related discipline

Tools

GIS software

CAD tools

Job description

Overview

Associate Urban Planner - Planning in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is an Architecture and Planning opportunity for an experienced planning professional who can support urban development strategies, land use analysis, zoning reviews, GIS mapping, stakeholder coordination, and sustainable city growth initiatives. The role suits a detail‑oriented urban planning specialist with strong technical capability, consultancy experience, and the ability to contribute to projects that influence infrastructure, community development, mobility, public realm quality, and long‑term urban transformation in Dubai.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Architecture and Planning
Function: Town‑City Planning
Salary: 18000-26000 (estimated, confirm with employer)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Hybrid

Core Duties

• Assist in evaluating urban development proposals, zoning applications, land use plans, master planning inputs, and planning‑related submissions.
• Conduct research on demographic trends, market conditions, planning regulations, infrastructure needs, development patterns, and urban growth drivers.
• Prepare technical reports, planning notes, presentations, mapping outputs, planning schedules, and stakeholder documentation.
• Use GIS software and CAD tools to create, review, and analyze maps, site plans, development layouts, spatial data, and urban design visualizations.
• Support planning studies that address land use, mobility, sustainability, public realm, community facilities, infrastructure capacity, and development feasibility.
• Review planning information for compliance with local zoning regulations, building codes, authority requirements, and Dubai's urban planning framework.
• Coordinate with senior planners, architects, civil engineers, environmental specialists, transport planners, government entities, and development stakeholders.
• Contribute to community engagement activities, stakeholder consultations, workshops, and planning coordination meetings.
• Maintain organized project files, databases, research records, drawings, planning references, and technical documentation.
• Assist in developing planning strategies that encourage sustainable, inclusive, accessible, and future‑ready urban environments.
• Monitor assigned project tasks, timelines, deliverables, and documentation requirements to support smooth project completion.
• Translate technical findings into clear planning recommendations that can support decision‑making by clients, authorities, and internal teams.
• Support integrated planning initiatives by connecting urban design, infrastructure, environmental, transport, and regulatory considerations.
• Review site information, planning constraints, development opportunities, and project data to identify practical solutions for complex urban challenges.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Town Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in urban planning, preferably within a planning consultancy, development organization, or multidisciplinary design environment.
• Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning review, urban design principles, development control, and planning approval processes.
• Practical experience supporting master planning, infrastructure planning, regulatory review, urban studies, and sustainable development projects.
• Proficiency in GIS platforms, CAD tools, mapping software, planning databases, and technical presentation tools.
• Ability to research, organize, interpret, and present planning data with accuracy and professional clarity.
• Familiarity with Dubai planning regulations, local authority requirements, building codes, and urban development frameworks is highly valuable.
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to work with architects, engineers, government officials, consultants, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, technical notes, and stakeholder discussions.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple planning tasks in a deadline‑driven project environment.
• Analytical mindset with an interest in sustainable urban growth, smart cities, infrastructure planning, and inclusive community development.

Skills Set

• Urban planning
• Town planning
• Land use planning
• Master planning support
• Zoning analysis
• Development proposal review
• Urban design coordination
• GIS mapping
• CAD tools
• Site plan analysis
• Spatial data review
• Planning research
• Demographic analysis
• Market condition research
• Regulatory compliance
• Dubai planning framework
• Building code review
• Stakeholder consultation
• Community engagement
• Technical reporting
• Planning presentations
• Project documentation
• Sustainable urban growth
• Infrastructure planning
• Public realm planning
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Development strategy
• Urban policy research
• Data organization
• Project timeline monitoring

Why Join Us

This hybrid planning role gives an experienced urban planner the opportunity to work on meaningful city‑shaping projects in Dubai's fast‑moving development market. The position offers exposure to large‑scale planning initiatives, multidisciplinary project teams, advanced digital tools, and complex urban challenges linked to infrastructure, sustainability, mobility, public spaces, and future community needs. It is a strong career move for a planning professional who wants to grow technical expertise while contributing to high‑impact urban transformation across the region.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering planning, design, engineering, advisory, environmental, water, transportation, and construction management services. In Dubai and across the Middle East, AECOM supports public and private sector clients with integrated urban planning and infrastructure solutions that improve communities, strengthen resilience, and create long‑term development value.