PlanTech Resources

Resources to support your PlanTech journey

Explore our collection of PlanTech resources designed to support planners in integrating technology and innovation into their practice.

The working group is continuing to advance the PIA PlanTech strategy, so keep checking back for new resources as they become available.

PlanTech Core Competencies

To ensure planners remain confident, capable, and future ready, PIA’s PlanTech Working Groups have worked together to outline the core skills every planner needs to navigate the opportunities and challenges that arise with the new wave of technology.

Divided into Core Skills and Specialist Skills, the competencies cover four key areas: understanding and data literacy, communication, organisational value, and governance. The document outlines the knowledge and capabilities planners need to engage with technology in ways that are ethical, practical, and improve planning processes. It concludes with practical case studies that demonstrate how applying these skills can enhance planners’ experiences, efficiency, and overall project outcomes.

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AI in Planning

PIA’s 'AI in Planning' Position Statement, now available online, emphasises ethical use, transparency, governance, professional development, and continuous monitoring, ensuring AI augments, not replaces, planners’ expertise while delivering fair, sustainable, and trustworthy outcomes for people and places.

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PlanTech Best Practice Guidelines

The first document of its kind to be tailored to planners, the guideline introduces practical and well-tested approaches to digital innovation.

Each section addresses common cultural and technical challenges faced when getting started with digital innovation, including strategies to get your team on board with doing something new and how to establish a healthy relationship with software vendors.

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AI in Development Assessment

This document connects the PIA PlanTech Principles, adopted in 2021, with the case for using Al to assist with development assessment decisions.
It outlines the opportunities and risks of using Al in this context, assisting planners and organisations to make well-informed choices about adopting Al technology.

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Risks of AI Generated Content in Community Engagement

Briefing note that explores the impact of AI generated content in formal consultation processes and how it may shape community sentiments on social media.
It identifies key benefits and risks associated with such AI, and proposes ways to reduce the negative impacts of AI on planning processes.

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ChatGPT: Implications for Planning

A short article on ChatGPT written by Claire Daniel, PIA’s PlanTech Project Officer (2023) for the American Planning Association’s “QuickNote” series.
The APA has kindly published the document open access to enable sharing with Australia planners.

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PlanTech Briefings

These hour-long PlanTech briefings keep planners up to date on how technology can be used to deliver better planning and development outcomes.
Check out OnDemand find PlanTech related topics that may be of interest.

Explore OnDemand