"Before beginning, plan carefully," wrote the Roman politician Marcus Tullus Cicero. Wise words for job hunters in any sector, but doubly relevant to those of you who want to be town planners.
Planning can be a hugely stimulating job, "a balancing act between constructing modern communities and conserving our natural and built heritage" in the words of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). And while it was the Romans who formalised the practice more than two milennia ago, town planning continues to influence most aspects of urban life today.
As the RTPl manifesto, Shaping the Future, puts it: "Now, more than ever before, it is the planning system that guides how and where we live, work and relax."
But choosing planning as a career is not without its challenges, following cuts to university courses and the publication of the Coalition's controversial new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Intended to make the system less complex and more accessible, the NPPF has prompted fierce debate between traditionalists and reformers. Meanwhile, insiders fear it could lead to both jobs cuts in the industry and shortcuts on the job.
What does this mean for a new generation of aspiring town planners? Our panel of experts and professionals will be answering your questions about the current state of the sector in our live Q&A on Friday 11 November from 1pm to 4pm. Plan ahead to ensure you don't miss it.
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Our panel:
Chris Sheridan is 'Planners in the Workplace' manager at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with over 15 years' experience delivering support and services to members of trade and professional organisations. He is also a member of the Chartered Management Institute.
Ruth Richards is acting head of the department of Urban, Environment and Leisure Studies at London South Bank University. She is a member of the RTPI, where she sits on the Education Steering Group, Lifelong Learning Committee and also acts as a mentor for aspiring planners.
Dr. Suzy Nelson is the course leader for the Urban and Regional Planning MA at the University of Westminster. She lectures on planning theory and practice, and regeneration.
Nick Matthews is associate director of planning and regeneration at Savills, responsible for coordinating major planning applications and strategic land promotion on behalf of a variety of public and private sector clients. He has over ten years experience in both consultancy and the public sector.
David Graham is an associate at Indigo Planning. A graduate of Oxford Brookes University, David started his career in the public sector before joining a west end surveying practice and, more recently, Indigo.
Emma Lockerbie is a recruitment consultant with Hays Construction & Property and specialises in recruiting roles in town planning. She currently recruits town planners for roles in both private and public sector companies in London and the south-east.
