Town Planner

Town planners work to find the balance between the conflicting demands for housing, industrial development, agriculture, recreation, the transport network and the environment, to allow appropriate development to take place. They prepare long-term plans, examine proposals for new developments, listen to the views of interested parties, including conservationists, builders, industrialists, farmers and residents, and give professional advice to decision makers like government departments and local councillors. Planners may have to deal with problems inherited from the past, like ancient road systems not designed to cope with modern traffic. They must also try to forecast future trends, such as increased need for housing.

The work can involve confronting very difficult situations, considering all the issues and striking the right balance. A new factory, for example, might provide new jobs but destroy a wildlife habitat. In some cases, the best solution is too expensive, so planners have to fit in with financial, political and social pressures.

Some planners specialise in areas like historic buildings, conservation, landscaping or land reclamation.

Entry level
The most popular method way into town planning is via a degree in Town and Country Planning, which incorporates a specialised diploma qualification. It is also possible to study for a degree in a different subject and follow this with a postgraduate course. A third route involves distance learning for the Joint Distance Learning Course in Town and Country Planning. All courses must be accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The minimum requirements for a degree course are two A levels/three H grades and three GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. Subjects like geography, economics and social sciences are particularly useful. Courses take four years full time, or five years for sandwich courses, which include experience in a planning office. The postgraduate planning qualification takes two years full time or three years part time. The entry requirement is a good first degree in a subject such as architecture, geology, geography, ecology or statistics.

The Joint Distance Learning Course in Town and Country Planning requires A levels or equivalent qualifications, or a relevant first degree. Students study at home at their own pace.

The content of courses varies, but all aim to give you a basic understanding of town planning, and to develop key skills such as design, problem solving and using computers. There are usually opportunities to specialise in areas like urban design, urban regeneration or environmental management. Most courses include practical work, which might mean studying live projects or work placements.

Making the grade
After qualification and two years' relevant practical experience in planning, you can apply to become a member of the RTPI. As a member, you would be required to update your knowledge and skills through continuing professional development.

Training and experience as a town planner can open up careers such as industrial promotion, environmental management, market research, property development and data processing. Alternatively, you could progress through related specialist areas, such as urban design and conservation, but would normally need additional training or substantial experience. You may have to change employer to gain enough experience to qualify for promotion.

Personal qualities
As a town planner, you should be committed to achieving the best possible quality of life in your local area without causing undue damage to the environment. You would need to communicate effectively with a wide range different people and to listen to their conflicting needs and interests before forming a balanced view. Your job would involve writing clear reports in language that can be easily understood and you would at times be required to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. You would have to speak at public meetings and would need to be persuasive or assertive if your audience is hostile.

Looking ahead
There is currently a substantial shortage of skilled planners, both nationally and internationally. Most qualified planners work in the public sector at national, county council or local level, although there are opportunities to work in private practice, often working as a consultant offering planning advice to companies, organisations or individuals. There are also openings to work for multi-disciplinary firms, large building contractors and organisations such as national parks or water authorities.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include architect, cartographer, civil engineer, economist,
landscape architect, local government administrator or rural property surveyor.

Take-home pay
There are no set pay scales and salaries vary in different parts of the country. However, as a newly qualified planner you could expect to earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year; this could rise with experience to £20,000 to £30,000, and could exceed £35,000 for a senior planning grade. Salaries in consultancies may be higher than this.

Effects
Town planners in local government work 35 to 40 hours a week, but they have to work outside office hours on occasion, for example for public meetings. Working in a consultancy, hours can be more variable.

Sources of information
Royal Town Planning Institute: www.rtpi.org.uk

Local Government Careers: www.lgcareers.com

CRCI: BC
DP Group: 3