Planner

Planners make decisions on how the space in towns, villages, cities and the countryside is used.

They contribute to work in housing, conservation, economic development, environmental education, recreation, sport, tourism, transportation, and community development.

Planners assess local applications for new buildings or changes of use to existing buildings, and check the implications of such developments. They also assess where future development should take place.

Did you know?
Hippodamus of Miletus, the Greek town planner from the 5th century BC, is thought by many to be the father of western planning. He believed in an ideal city inhabited by 10,000 citizens, divided into three classes (soldiers, artisans and ‘husbandmen’), with the land also divided into three types – sacred, public and private.

Facts and Figures

  • Starting salary:

    Average salary of around £20,000 in the public sector, rising more quickly in the private sector.

  • Senior level salary:

    Senior planners up to £34,000. Chief planning officers up to £80,000.

  • Education:

    Entry to the profession is usually via a degree accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. Those without an RTPI qualification need to gain a recognised postgraduate degree.

  • Skills:

    Planners need good oral and written communication skills, an ability to produce detailed and accurate work and good analytical and problem-solving skills. After finishing their studies, graduates undertake two years of experience culminating in a written assessment known as the Assessment of Professional Competence.

  • Likely employer type:

    Local authorities and government offices, planning consultancies, large development companies.

  • Opportunities:

    Now is a good time to be embarking on a career as a town planner. Demand is high, thanks to a shortage of planners, particularly in southeast England.

  • Number of professionals:

    There are around 16,000 chartered town planning officers in the UK.

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