Town Planner

The Job  

As you'd expect, town planners oversee the development of an entire town or region. They must understand the needs of a local environment, economy and population and how to make it gel into a pleasant place to live and work. Planning can be very rewarding as it has a major impact on the environment in which everyone lives and works.

The People  

As a planner you'll need a sound understanding of both architecture and infrastructure (e.g. roads, rail, and other transport networks) and how they affect the local environment and the people living in it.

Your job will involve meeting all kinds of people, including members of the public, to talk them through your plans for their town or region. For more information, visit http://www.rtpi.org.uk/.

Entry Requirements  

The minimum requirement to begin training as a town planner is completion of a university course accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). You will need to achieve a BA or a BSc in Town and Country Planning, plus a post-graduate certificate. This can be done over 4 years full time, or 5 years part time.

The requirements to get on to a degree programme vary greatly between different universities and courses so it is essential to check this out beforehand.

It is possible for prospective town planners to move into the field from architecture, civil engineering or surveying.

After completing the post-graduate course, you will need 2 years professional experience before you can apply to be a member of the RTPI.

The Benefits  

Few jobs can influence people's daily lives quite as much as the town planner. Do it well, and you'll be making a real difference.

Salaries vary according to experience, but planners can expect to start on around £18,000 - £22,000. As always, salaries in London are higher. For further information on salaries refer to professional institutions and industry press.