In a general understanding, ecologists are specialists whose professional activity is aimed at analyzing the state of flora and fauna, as well as at finding ways to reduce the negative impact of human life on the environment. An urban environmentalist is a narrower specialization that requires a person to have certain knowledge and skills.
Features
The description of the profession is an urban ecologist as follows: he is a highly qualified specialist whose activities are associated with the design of new cities based on environmental biotechnologies.
Specialty involves work in the field of construction, energy and controlling the level of environmental pollution. The profession became in demand all over the world a few years ago. The so-called "green cities" are actively being built and developed in many countries of Europe, Asia and the USA.
In Russia, the need for specialists of this level is currently not too high.
But given the high level of environmental pollution (especially in large cities), the demand for urban environmentalists will increase in the next few years.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of an urbanist are not too different from those of an ordinary ecologist. The professional responsibilities of an urban environmentalist include the following:
- arrangement of space taking into account the features and aspects of the life of people and the city;
- identification of problems and needs of residents in terms of the environment, the ability to solve them;
- make the correct placement of sites such as pedestrian zones, parks, bike paths;
- minimize garbage pads and everything that negatively affects the environment.
The main difference from ordinary designers and architects is that urbanists are improving the urban environment that was created earlier. However, they always focus on the environment.
The activities of the urban environmentalist at the workplace can be conditionally divided into several stages.
- Conducting an audit. At this stage, the specialist studies the problems of a particular city, interviews local residents. There is also an acquaintance with the features of the development of the territory.
- Overall assessment and possible risks. This stage involves the processing of all received information. A forecast of possible conflicts is made. From the side, specialists who know the city may be involved.
- Strategic alignment. At this stage, the urbanist, together with a team of other specialists, presents the developed project to local residents. Receiving a response from people. If necessary, some adjustments are made to the plan.
- Create a roadmap. At this stage, the project is presented not only to citizens, but also to local authorities, as well as investors. All the nuances, including legal ones, are coordinated.
- PR stage. Now the project is being widely publicized, more for the media. This makes it recognizable and attract more investors.
The duties of an ecologist-urbanist include a lot of diverse tasks, so his working day is often irregular.
Education
Urban studies are a relatively new science combining components from many other disciplines. In Russia, a specific specialty does not exist. But if a person wants to become an urban environmentalist, he will have to deeply study the following subjects:
- sociology;
- geography;
- ecology;
- culturology.
The closest are such specialties as "Architecture", "Urban Planning", "Management of urban territorial development." In Russia there are many universities in which you can get the appropriate education. The most popular are:
- Vyatka State University in Kirov;
- IRNITU in Irkutsk;
- DSTU in Rostov-on-Don;
- NSUADI in Novosibirsk;
- SPbGASU in St. Petersburg;
- NRU MGSU in Moscow.
For admission, you will need to take (the exam results will be suitable) the following items: Russian language, mathematics, geography, social studies, drawing, and in some cases also an academic drawing. It will take at least 5 years to study.
Place of work
If a person really wants to take part in this profession, then experts recommend starting a career in a public institution. In this case, you can understand the specifics in more detail, get acquainted with the principle of work of other related organizations, and get initial experience. But this is not the key to success, therefore You can start a career in a private company. An architectural bureau or urban planning university is a good place to start.
As you gain experience, you will be able to connect to larger projects. In a few years, when all the moments will be studied, you can create your own business - open your own company, working in which you can create a good team and receive highly paid orders.
Since the profession of ecologist-urbanist is among the non-standard, then remuneration can be very diverse. This indicator depends not only on the experience of the employee, but also on the status of the company in which he works. But if we talk about average indicators, then the salary of an urbanist is about 50-60 thousand rubles a month.
Ecological urbanist - this profession is suitable for tactful people who can defend their point of view. It is necessary to have stress tolerance, sociability, systemic thinking, the ability to listen and accept someone else's opinion.
On the profession of urban ecologist, see below.
