Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Spatial Planning Education to Meet Labor Market Needs in Latvia

Spatial Development Planning Master's Study Program Advisory Board, University of Latvia, Latvia

 Abstract: The labor market is shaped by the demand and supply of the workforce, influenced by national economic growth and various political processes. These factors can alter the demand for certain professions. The interaction between the education sector and employers is crucial to ensure that educational programs prepare specialists needed in the labor market. This study examines the labor market in the field of spatial planning in Latvia, including planner professions, job positions, vacancies, and the associated requirements and duties. Spatial planning, as an interdisciplinary field aimed at improving the quality of places, encompasses various professional disciplines such as territorial planning, urban planning, transportation, environmental, economic, and community planning. The work of a spatial planner includes several distinct professions and job positions. While at the local level in Latvia, the focus of spatial planners is more on territorial planning. The findings indicate systemic issues in the field of planning and a gap between the qualifications prepared by the University of Latvia's Spatial Development Planning Master's program and the job market. The study calls for further discussions on the meaning and significance of spatial planning in the context of sustainable development and suggests updating the professional standard for spatial planners to better align with labor market demands.