Town planner
Town planners help shape the way towns and cities develop, and balance the demands on land with the needs of the community.
Also known as: Planning officer, spatial planner, urban designer
- Starter salary£26,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a town planner, you may work on projects to:
- assess the impact of new road and rail links
- plan for housing, schools and energy generation sites, like wind farms
- conserve old buildings and archaeological sites
- redesign urban spaces and develop sustainable parks, woodlands and waterways
You could:
- develop local, regional or national planning policies
- assess technical information, site data and surveys
- make sure rules are followed in planning proposals and applications
- advise interested parties on regulations and policy
- prepare reports explaining planning decisions
- attend planning inquiries, hearings and appeals
Working environment
You could work in an office or visit sites.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of geography
- analytical thinking skills
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- maths skills
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a town planner
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can study for a degree or a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) .
Subjects include:
- planning, environment and development
- city and regional planning
- geography and planning
- urban planning and property development
You can do postgraduate qualification in planning if you have a degree in an unrelated subject.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
This can take around 5 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study at university. Contact apprenticeship training providers for details.
Entry requirements
Most people following this route have:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a town planning assistant with an organisation and take further training while you work.
You'll need the backing of your employer and you'll combine practical experience with part-time or distance learning study towards an accredited planning qualification.
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to get as much work experience as possible. This will give you a better understanding of the career, and the contacts you make may help you to find paid work.
You can search for companies listed by the Royal Town Planning Institute or contact your local council to ask about opportunities.
Restrictions and requirements
You may need a driving licence to visit development sites.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior or principal planner, planning department manager or consultant.
You could apply for Chartered Planner status , which demonstrates your skills and expertise in this role.
You might also move into:
- environmental management
- urban regeneration
- recreation management
- property development
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Royal Town Planning Institute for networking, events and professional development training opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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