What do Planners do?

There are a lot of misconceptions about the profession of Town and Regional Planning and its role in the Built Environment.  Town and Regional Planning is a professional activity that integral to urban and regional development, and land use management.  It facilitates the work undertaken by other professionals such as engineers, architects, project managers and developers.  A Town and Regional Planners are trained to consider the public good e.g. it is a people centred profession.

Planners link knowledge, skills, competences and action in ways that improve public and private development decisions which affect people, places and the environment.  To do this, planners must have knowledge and experience in a wide range of topics.  As a planner, you may:-

• Recommend policy and guidelines on land use, environmental conservation, housing, and transportation;
• Undertake research and prepare reports on demographic, economic, cultural, social and environmental issues;
• Review proposals for development to ensure that they follow regulations and generally accepted planning practice;
• Prepare plans for developing private lands, providing public spaces and services and maintaining and improving the environment;
• Answer questions from the public on planning policies and procedures;
• Speak before public meetings or formal hearings; and,
• Consult with landowners, interest groups and citizens.

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