PUTTING A FACE ON the diverse nature of THE PLANNER http://www.whatisplanning.org/ 

“This excellent site was designed for anyone who might be considering studies or a career in urban and regional planning, landscape planning, environmental planning, city planning or similar.  In addition to career information, it includes an overview of the planning profession, planner profiles, planning history, a planning gallery and teacher resources.”

What does a planner do?

Planners assist government, private organisations, groups and individuals in the community to achieve their future objectives through developing relevant projects, policies, processes and plans.

The planning profession aims to:

• Improve the quality of life of people.
• Make living and working environments safe, healthy, efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
• Plan for the future growth of regions, urban areas, industry and commerce, recreation and open space.
• Plan specific projects to ensure the most suitable relationship with the surrounding environment.

Planners are involved in the development and re-development of existing towns, cities and rural areas. The term town planner is sometimes misleading because planning is needed as much in rural and regional areas as in urban areas.

The planner is trained to advise on the most appropriate types of land use for any given area. The planner must assess and plan current and future plans uses. For example, the case for conversion of farm and forest land to meet predicted housing needs, and whether or not offices should be allowed to spread into inner city housing areas.
Planners also work in more specialised areas such as economic development, urban design, tourism, social planning and environmental planning.

The planner must have a knowledge of the various associated professions - architecture, law, engineering, surveying, economics, sociology and environmental management.

Who employs planners?

Planners are usually employed in four areas:

• Government: Planners are involved in all levels of Government from local councils to State and Federal Governments. Local Government is perhaps the biggest employer, with planners being responsible for planning and assessing development within their council areas.
• Private consultants: Consultants are most often employed by developers, local residents or on contract to local councils or other government bodies in Australia and overseas.
• Private Companies: An increasing number of large companies employ their own planners on staff to handle development projects for that company.
• A wide variety of other professions, including engineering, architecture, education, and environmental and recreation management also employ planners.

How do you become a PIA member?

As planning is a recognised profession, planners are required to have tertiary qualifications. Membership of the Institute falls broadly into two categories:

• Corporate (or voting) membership which includes Members, Fellows and Life Fellows
• Non-Corporate membership which includes Honorary Fellows, Graduates, Associates and Students (full or part-time), and Associate Companies/Organisations.

If you are not a planner but have an interest in planning, you may be eligible to join PIA as an Associate Member.

Benefits of membership include:

• Recognition by employers of PIA membership as a measure of professional competence.
• Contacts with the planning profession and acceptance as a colleague and peer in the planning community/industry.
• Regular National and Divisional newsletters.
• Membership discounts to National and Divisional seminars and conferences.