FOREWORD by Dyan Currie
FPIA HonRTPI FDIA, President, Commonwealth Association of Planners, Immediate Past President, Planning Institute of Australia.
Chapter 1: WHY BE A PLANNER?
The importance and unique role of planning in helping to create attractive, efficient and liveable places; the power of planners to advise decision makers and influence outcomes; changing community perceptions about planning.
Chapter 2: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
How knowledge and understanding about urban planning develops from childhood through to the instinctive ‘knowing’ that comes to a experienced planner.
Chapter 3: PRACTICALITIES
Why planning is more an art than a science – discussion on the theory of planning compared with the many grey areas in practice for both plan making and plan implementation using topical examples; the ‘Theatre of Planning’ where private and public interests compete and where various tactics might be used to influence outcomes.
Chapter 4: MASTERING THE ART OF PLANNING
Wisdom as distinct from factual and procedural knowledge about planning; how the 100 stories from well-respected and experienced planners were collected and collated according to the personal qualities needed to master the art of planning – confidence, insight and resilience.
Chapter 5: BECOMING A CONFIDENT PLANNER
Characteristics of confident planners who know what to do and how to act in particular circumstances – taking responsibility, communicating well, knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and investing in their own development; 33 stories from planning practitioners about experiences that helped them become more confident.
Chapter 6: BECOMING AN INSIGHTFUL PLANNER
Characteristics of insightful planners who understand the importance of critical review, who make sound decisions based on planning principles and who respect other viewpoints; 27 stories from planning practitioners about experiences that helped them become more insightful.
Chapter 7: BECOMING A RESILIENT PLANNER
Characteristics of resilient planners who can take risks and know how to adapt and bounce back when things don’t go as planned by understanding their role, staying positive and learning from others; 40 stories from planning practitioners about experiences that helped them become more resilient.
Chapter 8: SUMMARY
A summary of the wisdom and advice given in the 100 stories from planning practice and a message of encouragement to planners at the beginning of the journey towards mastering the art of planning.
