What Can Town Planners Change?
19 Mar, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- What Town Planners can change.
- The impact of the changes Town Planners make.
- Limitations that Town Planners may face within town planning.
- Where the latest town planning jobs are and how to apply for them.
Throughout their work, Town Planners have the opportunity to create a number of positive changes for communities up and down the UK. From enhancing their safety to creating more opportunities for employment, we’re exploring what changes Town Planners can make, the impact of these changes on the lives of local residents and the limitations Town Planners may face along the way.
What can Town Planners change?
Throughout their practice, Town Planners have the ability to make changes that can positively impact communities, the economy and environmental efforts. These changes include:
- Improving transport links.
- Creating affordable housing.
- Promoting environmental awareness.
- Elevating inclusive communities.
- Improving education and healthcare facilities.
- Bettering public safety.
- Creating better job opportunities.
Improving transport links
Town Planners play an important role in improving transport links throughout towns and cities in the UK. With the power to work on local plans, Town Planners can make positive changes towards the creation of cycle lanes, bus routes and pedestrian paths.
Improving existing transport networks and promoting sustainable transport options are also important responsibilities of Town Planners. Positively changing transport links might also include creating new railway stations and implementing strategies that reduce a communities dependency on cars.
Creating affordable housing
Another important change made through the process of town planning is the creation of affordable housing. Land can be allocated specifically for affordable housing and Town Planners are responsible for working alongside local authorities and housing associations to create housing that is inclusive and affordable for all.
Promoting environmental awareness
As the UK government works towards its net-zero by 2050 target, promoting environmental awareness is becoming an increasingly important aspect of a Town Planners job.
Town Planners can change their practices for the better by incorporating sustainable actions into local plans and infrastructure development.
Implementing climate resilient measures, including sustainable drainage systems and promoting low-carbon buildings are just two ways Town Planners can help to change the future of the planet for the better.
Elevating inclusive communities
To ensure that communities are inclusive and that local plans meet the needs of all residents, Town Planners must change existing amenities for the better. By creating spaces that are accessible for everyone and encourage collaboration, Town Planners can ensure that public spaces are reflecting the needs of everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, physical health or any other socioeconomic factor. Inclusive communities must empower everyone and ensure that there are no marginalised voices.
Improving education and healthcare facilities
Ensuring that education and healthcare facilities are up to scratch and accessible for everyone is crucial within town planning. Community hubs are a great place to house such facilities and part of creating vibrant, resilient communities is ensuring that their health needs are met.
Effective education and healthcare facilities are also essential for ensuring the future of towns and cities and caring for the welfare of future generations.
Bettering public safety
Ensuring that communities feel safe in the towns and cities in which they reside is vital. Town Planners can change how safe people feel in their home towns by creating well-lit streets and environments that utilise natural surveillance.
Creating roads that ensure emergency services can access locations promptly and designing pedestrian friendly areas are just two measures that can be implemented to ensure that the public feel safe.
Allowing community members to voice their concerns and suggest resolutions helps to create trust between residents and planning professionals and can make improving public safety easier for Town Planners.
Creating better job opportunities
As Town Planners work towards creating inclusive communities, they can enhance and create job opportunities for those living in and around the area.
By assigning land for commercial and industrial use, Town Planners are responsible for revitalising town centres and helping to boost the local economy by creating business hubs and employment opportunities.
The affluence of an area might also contribute to businesses choosing to relocate or set up within a particular location.
Through the improvement of transport links and infrastructure, Town Planners also make it easier for people to reach job opportunities they may not have otherwise considered.
The impact of the changes Town Planners make
The impact of the changes that Town Planners make, such as improving public safety, enhancing healthcare facilities and creating job opportunities are plentiful.
The changes and improvements made allow communities to thrive and provide opportunities for healthier, happier lifestyles that should be inclusive to all residents. The changes also have a positive impact on increasing environmental awareness and fostering sustainable practice.
Planning recruitment specialist, Josh Draycott, says, “Through the creation of modern town centres, Town Planners can encourage social cohesion and work towards positive economic growth, both locally and nationally.”
Limitations that Town Planners may face within town planning
Despite making positive changes to towns and cities across the UK, Town Planners can sometimes face limitations that can inhibit their processes and hinder their ability to achieve a desired result.
For example, budget constraints, political tension and even public opposition to development plans can all delay progress and in turn reflect poorly on the planning sector.
Should developments be delayed or issues with budget arise, this can also result in a lack of trust from the public and if local communities are not on side, decision-making and project planning can be even more difficult for the UK planning sector.
Limited resources may also restrict the progress and scale of a project and impact Town Planners ability to deliver on their proposed changes.
Contact a town planning recruitment specialist
Josh Draycott is a dedicated private sector and local authority Town Planning recruitment specialist with a diverse background in recruitment.
With a strong focus on the planning industry, Josh recruits for a wide range of roles, including Town Planners, Policy Planners, Urban Planners, Development Management Planners and Directors of Planning. His expertise lies in sourcing both interim and permanent talent to meet the planning objectives of his clients.
Planning jobs
If you’re searching for your next town planning job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Town planning recruitment services
As town planning recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
Josh has built long-standing, trusted relationships with numerous local council planning departments, delivering tailored recruitment solutions that address the dynamic and evolving demands of the town planning sector.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, get in touch with Josh Draycott on 01772 954200 to see how we can help.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
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