Town Planner

Town Planners design and manage the development of land, towns, cities and rural areas, balancing economic growth, social needs and environmental sustainability. On a typical day you might review planning applications, prepare development plans, consult with local communities, or assess the environmental impact of proposed developments. You work closely with architects, engineers, environmental consultants, local authority officials and members of the public to shape how places grow and change. Much of the work involves interpreting planning legislation and policy, producing written reports and using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse spatial data. Town Planners are employed by local authorities, An Bord Pleanála, government agencies and private consultancy firms throughout Ireland.

Leaving Certificate subjects such as Geography, Mathematics, Economics, English and Art can provide a strong foundation for a career in town planning. The main route into the profession in Ireland is an accredited Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree in Planning or a related spatial discipline, with UCD and TU Dublin both offering programmes accredited by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI). Some graduates enter through cognate degrees in Architecture, Geography or Environmental Science before completing an accredited Level 9 postgraduate diploma or Masters in Planning, also available at UCD and TU Dublin. Entry to Level 8 planning programmes is through the CAO, and points requirements are competitive, reflecting strong demand. Full membership of the Irish Planning Institute is the recognised professional standard for practising planners in Ireland, typically achieved after a period of assessed professional practice following graduation. There is no separate statutory regulator, but IPI membership is expected by most employers in both the public and private sectors.