Staff Shortages Threaten System As Planners Age

A recent survey of the planning profession in the United Kingdom has found that there likely won't be enough young planners to replaces the aging planners approaching retirement.

1 minute read

May 7, 2008, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"According to the survey, local authorities will struggle 'to employ enough staff to run its services', with almost a third of council employees set to retire over the next decade."

"The report, 'Leading Lights: Recruiting the Next Generation in Local Government', blames the crisis on a combination of 'baby-boomers' pensioning themselves off and a lack of interest from graduates."

"A spokesman for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) said: 'There is definitely an ageing population in planning expertise and a problem with attracting new staff... If you start losing a certain amount of this 'brain trust' it doesn't just affect the timescales, it also impacts on the decisions being made.'"

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

Friday, May 2, 2008 in The Architects' Journal

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

April 23 - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

April 23 - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

April 23 - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.