Contact Us  l  Search - SiteMap l  Resources - Links    l  Jobs  l

                    PROFILE OF IPI:

The following is a profile of the Irish Planning institute. It elaborates on the introduction in the ‘Site HomePage’

1.     History of the Institute

Ø      The IPI was established in 1975 with a total of 400 members in the first year. Its current membership is over 500 and is expected to exceed 1,000 over the next five years. During the past 25 years …..    It has recently established a permanent secretariat.

2.     Aims of the Institute:

Ø      To raise the standards of Planning

Ø      To articulate Professional Planning Opinion

Ø      To improve and promote the status of the Planning Profession

Ø      To contribute to Planning education

Ø      To encourage environemental awareness in the community

Ø      To represent Irish Planning interests abroad.

3.     Values of the Institute: 

Ø      Equity and equality in the decision making process, accountability and transparency, rationality and consideration in the community – for all stakeholders,

Ø      Fostering a sense of collaboration, consensus building and common purpose between all stakeholders in the built and natural environment.

Ø      Facilitating a higher standard of living for all in the full sense of the term.

Ø      Enhancing the quality of life,

Ø      Enhancing the environment

Ø      Positive Planning

Ø      Encouraging a built and natural environment that meets the values and aspirations of all our stakeholders in a useful and consensus orientated fashion

Ø      To develop and promote a common set of values that are inclusive and to which all our stakeholders can subscribe.

4.     Competencies encouraged by the Institute: As Planners we pride ourselves on the special expertise that we place at the disposal of our stakeholders for the benefit of the common good.

Ø      Capturing, interpreting, evaluating, maintaining and disseminating data, information, knowledge and intelligence pertinent to the built and natural environments

Ø      Strategy, Forecasting, Planning, Design, Decision making, problem solving and management capability within the legal framework governing change in the built and natural environments.

Ø      Imagination, Innovation, Inspiration, creativity, thought leadership and agenda setting capacities to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory, economic, social, technological, built and natural environments.

Ø      Communication, Information dissemination, explanation and community dialogue competencies

Ø      Conflict resolution, arbitration, collaboration, and consensus-building know-how

4.    Activities of the Institute:

Ø       Education

Ø      Evaluation and accreditation of Academic Courses

Ø      Evaluation and accreditation of non national qualifications

Ø       CPD,

Ø      Lecture series

Ø      Annual conference

Ø      Annual publication of Pleanala

Ø      News letter

Ø      Website

Ø      Commentary and advice to Government, the Press and all Stakeholders on matters pertinent to the built and natural environment

Ø      White papers

Ø      Discussion Documents

Ø      Discussion forums

Ø      Committees on relevant topics

Ø      Forums

Ø      Rural Forum

Ø      Liaison with affiliate professions and NGO’s

Ø      Raising awareness of Planning issues in the community

Ø      Maintain a register of recognised Planning Consultants

Ø      Social activities, 

Ø      Annual dinner

Ø      Social Outings

Ø      Field trips

        5.      Other aspects of the Institute:

The Irish Planning Institute has four categories of membership:

Corporate, Affiliate, Graduate and Student.

These members are employed in Ireland and abroad in central government, local authorities, state-sponsored bodies, institutes of higher education and as planning consultants.

There are a number of special interest groups within the Institute; the Cork Branch, the Rural Forum and the Private Practice Branch.

The Irish Planning Institute works in close association with University College Dublin and Queens University Belfast and accredits planning courses in both Colleges. It also presents thesis awards to the final year students in both Colleges. It is one of the nominated bodies under the European Commission Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications and will thus act as a regulatory agency for planning practice in Ireland.

The Institute is a nominating body to Seanad Eireann and to An Bord Pleanála.

The Institute publishes "Pleanáil" annually. This is the only technical publiction on planning theory and practice published in Ireland. It also circulates a quarterly "Newsletter" to its members.

The Irish Planning Institute lobbies central Government on new legislation and on planning policy at national, regional and local levels. It also from time to time issues statements on current topics of public interest and debate.

Through its annual National Planning Conference the Institute offers a major forum for the debate of planning and related topics. It also organises a series of public lectures throughout the year to promote awareness of and participation in the planning process.

Two major annual awards are presented by the Institute. One is the "Infill Award" for the quality of design and planning content of new developments in established built up areas. The second is for "Planning Achievement." These awards are aimed at raising the standard of townscape design and planning awareness.

The Irish Planning Institute is an active member of the European Council of Town Planners and has held the Presidency of this organisation. Through this involvement the Institute not only represents Irish planning interests abroad but also forges important links with sister institutions in the E.C. and further afield.

The Irish Planning Institute offers an opportunity for informal contact between its own members and with members of other institutions and professional bodies through social functions, study tours and field trips in Ireland and abroad.

For a full overview of the site go to ‘Search/Sitemap’

Any suggestions / comments – please contact us.