Job Kit: Future Cities Shaper

with STEM

CAREERS JOB KIT

Future Cities Shaper

Discover what it takes to build a career designing, planning and constructing the cities of tomorrow

Kirsteen James QUT Interior Design graduate and Design Institute of Australia Design Graduate of the Year

I not only want to make a difference in the world, but I especially want to change the impact that design of the built environment has on the most vulnerable. I hope to always design for a greater social change. QUT taught me that risk is worth taking if you have done your research and analysis correctly.

Make a positive impact

Study architecture and built environment

Design buildings, interiors and landscapes that make a positive impact on the environment, community health and wellbeing.

Build a better world

Want to be a part of building the inclusive, sustainable and smarter cities of the future? There’s a STEM job for that

What do the towns and cities of the future look like? Well, that could be up to you. Planning, designing and constructing the towns and cities of the future is more than just about building roads and bridges. Building a better world for the future means taking into account future priorities – including environmental sustainability, food security, community safety, wellbeing and connection, the ability to adapt to a changed climate, and inclusivity catering to all genders, abilities, cultures and backgrounds.

If this sounds exciting and important to you, you might be a future cities shaper in the making.

The careers involved in shaping the cities of the future are as diverse as the people they cater to. Engineers designing and building roads, bridges and infrastructure; software engineers and computer scientists looking at ways to incorporate digital connection to make our cities run smarter and more efficiently; environmental scientists and engineers considering how our cities interact with natural ecosystems and wildlife... the list goes on.

At QUT’s School of Architecture and Built Environment, we can set you up with the Architecture and STEM skills needed to join the workforce that’s building sustainable, inclusive and smart cities of the future.

Read on to discover more about some of these career paths, and to meet two real-life people who have forged their own careers in this exciting, broad and diverse field.

Professor Karen Vella, Head of School of Architecture and Built Environment, QUT

SHUTTERSTOCK

the careers involved in shaping the cities of the future are as diverse as the people they cater to”

Karen Vella

Head of School of architecture & Built Environment, QUT

Shape of things to come

Imagine a world where skyscrapers power themselves, walkable access to amenities is a priority and there is an infrastructure, health and educational balance across all community demographics… that’s the vision of a future city shaper

Future cities are trending right now. Big time. They’re what scientists and people in urban development, humanities, town planners, engineers and environmental groups all want to see come together in the years ahead. And these visionaries need people with the right skills to make it happen. Designing new decentralised areas, creating a sense of community connection and inventing alternative transport are what ‘mini cities’ are all about – they’re the future of urban development. A future cities shaper is the one armed with the job of bringing all of it together. They’re the peeps tasked with writing a new ‘social contract’ for neighbourhoods. And it’s an exciting time to be amongst it.

Apply here

We’re talking about building the cities of the future, so some of the requirements of the job will change as our cities and communities evolve. But ATM, these are the places looking for skilled pros:

Shaping a city of the future isn’t just about traditional bricks and mortar. It’s about making cities better, being involved in the creative process from the ground up and balancing issues around housing, health and environment, so the inhabitants of tomorrow can live their best life.

For instance, solar panel scientists from the University of Michigan have discovered that their panels can be transparent and efficient. The carbon-based design is tipped to stand the test of time for 27,000 years – meaning you pop those babies on big buildings for big natural power!

If sustainability, social welfare and heritage conservation are some of your passion projects, then this could the career for you. The best bit? The job description just keeps growing…

What they do: An architect designs buildings and spaces, making sure they are safe, functional and aesthetically pleasing for the people who use them. They create plans, drawings, and specifications that guide the construction process.

Employers:

• Construction companies

• Architecture firms, like Gensler

• Government and universities

Annual earning potential: $62K–$97K*

*Source: payscale.com

policy officer

What they do: A policy officer uses technical knowhow to ask the tough questions around the social, environmental and political implications of these findings.

Employers:

• GOVERNMENT! All of them. Local councils; shires; state and federal level.

Earning potential: $57K–$99K*

*Source: payscale.com

Architect

Town planner

What they do: The shape of a future city starts here. Town planners are the problem-solvers who balance environmental and developmental issues as they pop up. For instance, they’ll figure out work arounds and talk to the right people if a massive wetland is smack bang where an airport landing strip is planned for development.

Employers:

• DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LAND, WATER AND PLANNING

• SHIRE COUNCILS

• URBIS

Annual earning potential: $51K–$105K

*source: payscale.com

Engineer

What they do: There are plenty of engineering specialists involved in the development of a new city or giving a current urban area a facelift. From hydraulics – anything water; civil – infrastructure focus; mechanical – developing smart machines; and geotechnical – building into and using the earth IE, the ground beneath us.

Employers:

• DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LAND, WATER AND PLANNING

• LENDLEASE

• MERITON

Annual earning potential:

Hydraulics: $56K–$110K

Civil: $59K–$114K

Mechanical: $58K–$114K

Geotechnical: $65K–$132K*

*Source: payscale.com

Urban designer

What they do: An urban designer is tasked with creating environmentally sustainable, economically successful and socially equitable areas. Digital twins help deliver the vision, literally. Urban designers can work with digital twin engineers to build replicas of the physical areas in a digital space first using AI, VR and 3D-tech to see the end result in real-time. The modelling helps make the right decisions – and tick all the boxes – when developing innovative communities.

Employers:

• SHIRE COUNCILS

• URBIS

• DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LAND, WATER AND PLANNING

Earning potential: $54K–$95K

*Source: payscale.com

Building a dream career

Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sanjay moved to the Gold Coast after finishing high school. Growing up near Kathmandu airport gave Sanjay a passion for roads and structures.

“I always wanted to be part of building something. That’s what drove me to engineering,” he says.

After starting out in commercial cooking and hospitality management, Sanjay became a permanent resident and enrolled in an associate degree in civil engineering at Queensland TAFE, then studied engineering at QUT. The associate degree counted as credit towards Sanjay’s bachelor’s degree, which he completed in just two and a half years.

New challenges

The day after graduating from QUT, Sanjay started as a civil engineer at GHD in Cairns, where a big part of his job is helping build the homes of the future by getting subdivisions ready for owner-builders taking advantage of government grants. One project Sanjay worked on had over 200 house lots!

Sanjay checks designs for new roads, bridges and water services, and makes sure most of the natural trees are protected during land clearing. And he uses his communications skills to help clients understand council regulations. “I’m very lucky! I’m using everything I learned at uni,” he says.

Never give up!

If you want to be a civil engineer and shape future cities, you should never give up – even when the going gets tough. “Hang in tight, and study hard,” says Sanjay.

While studying engineering, Sanjay also took extra courses in nursing, worked in aged-care homes on weekends, and completed internships at Logan City Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This stood him in good stead when applying for graduate jobs. – Nadine Cranenburgh

Sanjay Parajuli loves seeing designs become reality, and creating buildings and infrastructure that his kids will enjoy

i always wanted to be part of building something. that drove me to engineering”

Sanjay Parajuli civil engineer

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (honours), QUT

Civil Engineer, GHD, Cairns, Queensland

Associate Degree, Civil Engineering, Queensland TAFE

Diploma of Hospitality Management, Queensland TAFE

Chef and Head Chef, The Coffee Club Australia

Planning on it

In high school, Stacey Akasha loved science and history. As a teenager, she constantly changed her mind about her future career, but always wanted to understand how the world works.

“My love of maps should have told me I was destined to be an urban planner,” she says.

With that in mind, Stacey studied urban development at QUT and says the uni equipped her with technical skills that are in high demand within the planning world. “They also ensured the course content closely reflected projects that we encounter in the planning field.”

On the job

Stacey is now at Brisbane City Council where she works with land use planners, infrastructure network teams and external stakeholders to make sure infrastructure planning is well integrated into their planning policies.

“On an average day I could be analysing information then communicating findings,” she explains. “On a policy related project, I would be undertaking the project management duties like tracking, updating and reporting. I would also be seeking project updates from our partners or running workshops with the infrastructure networks.”

The coolest part of her job? Working with pros from all kinds of technical backgrounds. “I love that we develop policies that really improve the lives of Brisbane residents.”

As for the future, Stacey is excited about further integrating technology into policy development and loves that data analysis skills are becoming highly valuable. Her plan is to stick with infrastructure planning and thinks the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games have given her a once in a lifetime opportunity in this area! – Louise

Meers

Stacey Akasha is an urban planner for Brisbane City Council and is excited about what the future holds in this career

I love that we develop policies that really improve the lives of Brisbane residents”

Bachelor of Urban Development (honours) (Urban and Regional Planning), QUT

Student Planner in the Urban Research and Monitoring Unit, Logan City Council

Urban Planner in Parks Planning and Policy, Brisbane City Council

Urban Planner in Infrastructure Policy and Partnerships, Brisbane City Council

Urban Planner in Development Services, Brisbane City Council

stacey akasha urban planner

Constructing the future

Want to shape the cities of tomorrow? Start with studying studying construction management at QUT. Although she originally studied psychology, Hayley switched her focus upon hearing about this degree and realised it was perfect for her.

Hayley started working in the industry during her first year of uni and loved how fast-paced it was. What she was learning at QUT was having a big impact on her work too.

“The construction management course had a lot of practical subjects that were directly relevant to the work we would do in the industry – estimating, contract administration and project management,” she says.

After working for two interior fitout companies, Hayley started Belnic Constructions with Nicole Detsimas, who she met while studying at QUT. They’re focused on leading the way in interior fitout in the health and medical sector – think hospitals, labs, radiology clinics and vet clinics.

Her career highlight to date? The design and delivery of an 800m2 veterinary hospital on the Sunshine Coast.

“Day-to-day my focus is on running live projects like coordinating trades, consultants and clients to ensure each project runs smoothly, preparing cost plans for new projects and just generally having fun doing what I love!” says Hayley.

Her job also involves managing the business, finances, marketing, and optimising Belnic Constructions’ systems and procedures.

As for the future, Hayley is excited to see more and more opportunities for women to be both interested and educated in roles in construction and engineering, and believes we need more diversity in the STEM workplace because difference is highly valued. “The world is evolving, and so must the mindset.”

– Louise Meers

Day-to-day my focus is on running live projects... and just generally having fun doing what I love”

hayley bell Urban Developer

Project Manager, FDC Construction & Fitout Director, Belnic Constructions

Project Coordinator, Built Queensland

Bachelor of Business (Psychology), Griffith University

Bachelor of Urban Development (honours) (Construction Management), QUT

Hayley Bell founded her own specialist commercial fitout company and has built dental clinics, research labs and even a veterinary hospital

Get the job!

Inspired to be part of shaping the cities of the future?

Here are your next steps:

let the games begin!

In 2032, Brisbane, Australia will host the Summer Olympics, which will spell big local job opportunities and shape the city for decades to come

In addition to creating job opportunities for professionals like engineers and architects, Olympics can shape cities for decades after the big event, by improving infrastructure, boosting the local economy and leaving a lasting legacy of pride and excitement for the host city.

The upcoming 2032 Brisbane Olympics are no different, with the state and federal governments already committed to spending A$7.1 billion to build new venues and refurbish existing ones.

The Brisbane Olympics is also committed to being a ‘climate positive’ event, which means rather than adding to greenhouse emissions, it will help result in effort and investment to accelerate the city’s transition to a greener future.

The upshot? A bright future for any aspiring Aussie city shapers who want experience in a large-scale, globally recognised project with super sustainability credentials.

Choose this career if you…

> Are a people person

> Are future-focussed

> Like solving problems

> Like seeing your work in the real world

Watch it

City Dreamers (2018)

This documentary focuses on four women architects and urban planners who have made significant contributions to the field of city building, and offers a glimpse into their creative processes and the challenges they have faced. Stream it free at citydreamersfilm.com

PLAY IT

SimCity

This super popular open-ended computer game has introduced millions of players to the joys and challenges of city planning and building – all in the virtual realm. It’s even been credited with inspiring a generation of city shapers, from town planners to architects and activists – who all got their first taste of their dream career playing the game.