The State of the Profession report from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has found increased gender parity in the field, but resourcing challenges are still impacting the profession
The RTPI’s analysis covers the planning profession in the UK, with a focus on understanding the needs of members and enabling an informed dialogue with the government.
Shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing the planning profession in the 2020s, the State of the Profession report shows that as climate change, housing shortages, and public health continue to influence policy, a robust planning strategy is needed more than ever.
Positive findings from the report include:
- The UK has a professional planning workforce of approximately 22,000 individuals in 2023, showcasing stability when compared to 2019 figures
- Women now comprise 40% of the planning workforce, and gender parity was observed among professionals under the age of 42
- Progress in racial diversity is evident and steadily on the rise
- 75-80% of planners are RTPI members, underlining the institute’s significance to the profession
- The next generation of planning professionals appears promising, with over 4,000 students attending accredited planning programs
However, the planning profession faces stagnant wages and a lack of public sector employment
- Approximately 50% of planners are employed in private sector roles, especially within consultancies, while public sector employment has faced a decline
- Real median salaries for planners have witnessed a steady decline over the past 15 years, emphasising the need for a closer look at compensation within the profession
- Resourcing challenges, skills shortages, and political uncertainty pose formidable hurdles for public sector planning across the UK
Resource-starved Local Planning Authorities are a cause for concern
Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “There are many encouraging statistics that we can find in this report, and it’s positive to see the profession taking encouraging steps in becoming more diverse.
“However, while the planning profession is maintaining steady overall numbers, it continues to face significant strains due to the under-resourcing of Local Planning Authorities. With proper resourcing, the planning profession can play a vital role in sustainably shaping built and rural environments to meet pressing housing, infrastructure and economic needs.”
