Urban Planing / Design / Landscape Design / Architecture Jobs in Singapore

[bennyboiler]

Hi everyone. Just wondering if there were any urban planners on here that could give me some information about working in Singapore. I lived in Singapore when I was a kid and my parents moved back there a few years ago so I visit every couple of months. I know the city pretty well and the URA seems to constantly be in demand for planners, so I'm considering working there for a while as Perth is now flooded with planners and jobs are a lot harder to land now. What I really need to know is:

1) What is the pay like at the URA? Their website never lists the pay for any of their positions. I'm a recent graduate with a masters degree.
2) Given the URA is a government authority, would they even consider employing someone that doesn't have Singaporean citizenship?
3) Would a private planning firm consider taking on someone that has no working experience in Singapore? Over here, getting into the private sector is difficult unless you have previous experience in local/state government.
4) Is there a shortage of planners in Singapore?

Any help you could offer would be most appreciated!

[joshww81]

Originally Posted by bennyboiler

Hi everyone. Just wondering if there were any urban planners on here that could give me some information about working in Singapore. I lived in Singapore when I was a kid and my parents moved back there a few years ago so I visit every couple of months. I know the city pretty well and the URA seems to constantly be in demand for planners, so I'm considering working there for a while as Perth is now flooded with planners and jobs are a lot harder to land now. What I really need to know is:

1) What is the pay like at the URA? Their website never lists the pay for any of their positions. I'm a recent graduate with a masters degree.
2) Given the URA is a government authority, would they even consider employing someone that doesn't have Singaporean citizenship?
3) Would a private planning firm consider taking on someone that has no working experience in Singapore? Over here, getting into the private sector is difficult unless you have previous experience in local/state government.
4) Is there a shortage of planners in Singapore?

Any help you could offer would be most appreciated!

Yes they are around somewhere... It'd be good to share a bit more on what you studied, what your expectations are and what you like to do.

As for your questions...

1) I think it's around 3-4k per month for starting. Not sure what's the latest though.

2) Yes they will.

3) It depends on which private planning firm you are talking about. I should elaborate that the planning work done by local firms are physical planning based - i.e. the role of the planner is to draw up a masterplan for an area highlighting where the roads go, what uses should be put where, etc. They tend to hire architects or planners with CAD/design skills. The non-design planners are mostly doing research/analysis work, but their starting pay is really bad.

4) There is a general demand for planners in Singapore, because urban planning is not renowned and we do not have our own planning course in university. Most of the local planners in government are from real estate or geography backgrounds.

Hope this helps. Not sure if they allow for PM here, but if you want to find out more you can drop me a msg.

[Pengui]

Originally Posted by bennyboiler

2) Given the URA is a government authority, would they even consider employing someone that doesn't have Singaporean citizenship?
3) Would a private planning firm consider taking on someone that has no working experience in Singapore? Over here, getting into the private sector is difficult unless you have previous experience in local/state government.

Let me give you my perspective on this based on my own experiences with government and private employers here.

2) They may hire you only if you have very specific experience in some particular area where they can't find anyone local. If you feel confident this is the case, emphasize it in your CV and motivation letter.
The other possibility is that they may offer an internship to fill some quota of foreign students they are supposed to reach. Don't expect any glorious assignment there. It will help if you're from a well-known US or British school.

3) No. Chances are, even if you got lots of good experience, private companies HR will just pass on your CV because they don't want to go through the trouble of getting you a work permit.

[bennyboiler]

Thanks for your responses. My specific degree is Master of Urban and Regional Planning. I didn't realise there wasn't a planning degree in Singapore, that's quite interesting. My main interests are transport planning and statutory work, I'd be happy to do development applications for a while anyway. I'll get in contact with the URA and see if I can meet with someone next time I am up there. Cheers.

[joshww81]

Originally Posted by bennyboiler

Thanks for your responses. My specific degree is Master of Urban and Regional Planning. I didn't realise there wasn't a planning degree in Singapore, that's quite interesting. My main interests are transport planning and statutory work, I'd be happy to do development applications for a while anyway. I'll get in contact with the URA and see if I can meet with someone next time I am up there. Cheers.

Check your PM. I sent you something.

If you're interested in technical transport planning, you can check out LTA.

[frozenzeus]

Hi I'm a planning grad (Bachelor of Applied Science in Urban and Regional Planning) with 1.5 years of experience (as a student planner) and am interested in grad planning jobs in Singapore.

Is there any agencies anyone would know beyond the LTA and URA which may be useful?


I'm undertaking a Master in Transport and Traffic next year which is external, so my interest lay in transport but i'm open to working in any field of planning to start off with.

Any info would be great. I'm interested to know how you went 'bennyboiler' in your search?

[SonofaDude]

Benny: there are a number of quasi-government organisations (bascially, they were hived off from government organisations), that may be of interest to you. One of them is Surbana, which used to be part of HDB. They gladly take in foreigners and your Masters may be of use to them. You can give them a try as well.

As for private firms, I believe there are some that may take in foreigners (sorry to be contrary to you, Pengui). These tend to be architect firms that are involved in urban planning as well. Off hand, I know of Architects Team 3, DP Architects and perhaps Aedas Singapore. There are probably several smaller ones like WOHA and perhaps SCDA.

Hope to welcome you to Singapore soon.

Cheers

[JoSin]

Originally Posted by joshww81

Yes they are around somewhere... It'd be good to share a bit more on what you studied, what your expectations are and what you like to do.

As for your questions...

1) I think it's around 3-4k per month for starting. Not sure what's the latest though.

2) Yes they will.

3) It depends on which private planning firm you are talking about. I should elaborate that the planning work done by local firms are physical planning based - i.e. the role of the planner is to draw up a masterplan for an area highlighting where the roads go, what uses should be put where, etc. They tend to hire architects or planners with CAD/design skills. The non-design planners are mostly doing research/analysis work, but their starting pay is really bad.

4) There is a general demand for planners in Singapore, because urban planning is not renowned and we do not have our own planning course in university. Most of the local planners in government are from real estate or geography backgrounds.

Hope this helps. Not sure if they allow for PM here, but if you want to find out more you can drop me a msg.

So with real estate and geography backgrounds they will not land you a higher paying job in URA as a planner as compared to architects?

[Kiribati]

Originally Posted by JoSin

So with real estate and geography backgrounds they will not land you a higher paying job in URA as a planner as compared to architects?

No
__________________

[joshww81]

Originally Posted by JoSin

So with real estate and geography backgrounds they will not land you a higher paying job in URA as a planner as compared to architects?

Sorry for the late reply. As someone already mentioned, no is the answer.

[y2koh]

If you have real estate and geography background, I'll suggest that you may like to join SLA for government jobs.

For private sectors, companies that does large scale planning in China and emerging economies such as Vietnam, Eastern Europe, and even Africa, will be better suited for your background - like Jurong, JTC, Surbana, CPG, SCP, etc. But your role will mainly be assisting in planning reports and project background studies. To be able to lead the project you will need experience and be far ahead of the real estate market in terms of ideas and visioning.

Real Estate companies in Singapore will generally require you to be very familiar with codes and submission guidelines, so professional experience is more important.

[joshww81]

I thought I should add that the pay at URA (and generally across the government) is quite good, in fact, even better than the private sector.

Another place that may accept planners is RSP Architects, but you may have to be trained in design or cad down the road.

[nguirguis]

Hi,

I am currently working as a planner in Australia at the local government level, whilst studying my masters in urban planning (my undergraduate degree is in property) and wanted to move to Singapore.

I am finding it difficult to know where to look for jobs, and urban planning companies. Is it difficult to get a planning job in Singapore?

What are some reccommended urban planning companies?

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks

[joshww81]

Originally Posted by nguirguis

Hi,

I am currently working as a planner in Australia at the local government level, whilst studying my masters in urban planning (my undergraduate degree is in property) and wanted to move to Singapore.

I am finding it difficult to know where to look for jobs, and urban planning companies. Is it difficult to get a planning job in Singapore?

What are some reccommended urban planning companies?

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks

Hello there!

If I could ask, when you say you want a planning job in Singapore, what do you mean by planning?

I'm asking this because I've worked in Melbourne as a planner before and the practice of urban planning in Singapore is quite different to how Australia does it. Most of the private sector planning jobs are in master planning, urban research and physical planning, i.e. somewhat more urban design related type of jobs.

[kenni-c]

Hi, I've just been booked for an interview with the URA in London next week. I'm now based in Scotland and recently graduated with an MSc in Architecture from here. I also did some job placements in Edinburgh.

How does the nature of my studies place me in the consideration to the position as an urban planner (physical planning) with the URA? In other words, do they evaluate me equally as a graduate of Urban Planning and therefore not expecting to use this as a point to offer a less attractive salary?

Thanks

[doreliese]

Hi everyone. Just wondering if there are any of you who could give me some information about internships in Singapore. I am a graduate student of landscape planning (specialising in riverscape planning and hydrobiology) in Vienna, Austria and I am considering doing an intership in one of these fields in Singapore next year. I also have a Bachelor degree in Tourism Management.
I would be glad to find some answers to the following:

- Do you know any institutions (governmental or not) that are in this sector and take interns?
- What are the requirements for doing an internship there (grade point average, previous working experience...)
- Do they pay for internships in Singapore?

Any help you could offer would be most appreciated!

[y2koh]

Hi, landscape planning and hydrobiology is very sought after in Singapore. I think many of the government agencies and private companies alike will be keen to consider you.

We have an ongoing project for riverside rehabilitation spearheaded by PUB (Public Utilities Board) - http://www.pub.gov.sg/abcwaters/Pages/default.aspx
Consultants involved in this project include: Planning & Landscape Associates, EnviroPro, CH2MHill, CPG Consultants.

In addition, Housing and Development Board (HDB) is also building some of the infrastructure, of which Punggol Waterway is the largest and most successful - http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_793203.html
The consultant for the project is Surbana Int Consultants.

As for requirements, I don't think it's an issue if you already have a good portfolio of your student works. Interns are paid too, enough to cover your expenses here. Do note however that rental rates can be quite high in Singapore, so you should try to do a bit of homework for that aspect. As a guide, the rental rates for a room in public housing estates (where 85% of Singaporeans stay) is usually around $550-900 depending on location.

Hope this helps.

[desafinado74]

Hi everyone,

I am currently studying urban planning and design in Melbourne,
Australia, and i am interested in working in Singapore as
an urban planner, once i finish my degree.

I was wondering if a degree from Australia will be useful or
be recognised by local employers and authorities.

Finally, how is the employment outlook in Singapore
for urban planning and design jobs ?

Thank you and i appreciate any feedback.
Marcus

[redstone]

Urban planning jobs in Singapore are mostly with government agencies, especially our planning agency, the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Housing & Devt Board also does some urban planning, on a smaller scale related to public housing.

Large full-service architecture companies like DP, CPG, Surbana, Ong & Ong, RSP also have masterplanning projects, mainly overseas, especially in Southeast Asia and China

[UpWithProgress!]

Hi guys,
Just a few questions from me here:
1) How is life working as an urban planner? Do you find it mundane?
2) Is an amateur interest in urban/transport planning combined with the necessary academic degree enough for such a job?
3) Is there any other way out if you are tired with this career? What other jobs can you take up?
4) I'm considering to take a real estate course somewhere in the mid future? Hopefully someone can describe to me about the course and share some advice.

Last but not least, thank you in advance !