With a growing global population and an increasing migration of people from rural to urban areas, planners must increasingly deal with urbanization and environmental issues, such as:
- conversion of land from natural habitats to urban land use,
- creation, use, and preservation of natural spaces and parks,
- development of transportation networks and infrastructure, and
- water and air quality.
The term "Planning" refers to the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities, and services with a view to securing the physical, economic, and social efficiency and health and well-being of urban, rural, and northern communities. Responsible planning has always been vital to the sustainability of safe, healthy, and secure communities.
Planners address problems of sparsely populated regions, parks and protected areas, and resource hinterlands. In addition to land use questions, the profession involves:
- planning social and community services,
- managing cultural and heritage resources,
- creating economic capacity in local communities, and
- working internationally.
What is a planner?
A planner is an educated professional who contributes to making better decisions about how the future of our communities will unfold - addressing the look, feel, and function of communities in concert with all levels of people and the environment.
Planners work for governments, consulting firms, land developers, builders, community groups, non-governmental organizations, private industry, universities, and colleges.
Planners are professionals who support the creation of vibrant and healthy communities, the connection of people and their environment, the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and a heightened sense of place and respect for the emerging diversity of our communities.
What do planners do?
- Planners help plan and design new communities and developments within existing communities.
- Planners help protect the natural environment as well as heritage buildings and neighbourhoods.
- Planners help improve the existing conditions of urban areas.
- Planners create programs and policies that benefit individuals and communities.
- Planners assist in the creation, operation, and development of transportation infrastructure and systems - roads, transit, bikes, and pedestrian ways - which allow for freight and people movements.
- Planners advise city governments and private companies on environmental issues.
What do planners accomplish?
- Organize land uses and related activities: Kitchener became the first city in Canada to pass zoning by-laws to establish where certain kinds of activities can take place.
- Solve critical problems: Post-World War II planning met the urgent need to rapidly build housing for returning veterans, and now planners help house newcomers arriving from around the world.
- Respect the environment: Through watershed protection and conservation strategies, natural resources are being protected and enhanced.
- Make cities healthier: Planners are engaged in planning for cleaner environments and healthier lifestyles.
- Raise awareness: They champion our natural and built environments by promoting best practices.
- Set a course for the future: Planners are key contributors to the Official Plans that guide the future of our communities.
Be part of a profession
Like architecture, engineering, and law, planning is a professional program. People who have:
- a university degree, usually in planning or a related area,
- a minimum of two years of planning experience, and
- passed the examinations set by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP)
can use the professional designations MCIP (Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners) and RPP (Registered Professional Planner) after their names.
Graduates and students are encouraged to join professional associations such as the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) to keep in touch with new developments within the profession by meeting practicing planners and receiving journals and newsletters.
Source: Canadian Institute of Planners