The value we all gain from best practice planning of places and spaces in our
communities will be highlighted and celebrated world-wide on World Town Planning Day
tomorrow the 8th November.
Thousands of planning professionals across Australia will join colleagues in more than
thirty countries on four continents to recognise the day set aside to advance professional
and public interest in planning.
Across Australia, the day will be marked with lectures, seminars and planning awards
ceremonies organised by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
PIA National President Dyan Currie said World Town Planning Day is a chance to reach
out to people with the message that well-planned spaces are healthier, safer and drive
more economic prosperity.
“The economic benefits of well-planned built environments are up there with all the other
benefits. Good town planning creates more choice for individuals”, Ms Currie said.
“Planning is like so many other things. If it’s done well it is taken for granted and no-one
notices but the beneficial outcomes are always there.
“Well planned communities have greater employment opportunities, better choices in
housing and more efficient transport options. Planning is about achieving liveable
communities that maximise economic productivity.
“Tomorrow is a day set aside worldwide to recognise the good work done by planning
professionals and the value their work is to communities everywhere.”
The international organisation for World Town Planning Day, also known as World
Urbanism Day, was founded in 1949 by a graduate at the Institut d’urbanisme in Paris, the
late Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera. The days has now been an annual event for
more than 60 years.
Tomorrow PIA will share the celebration with other planning industry bodies such as the
South African Council for Planners, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Canadian
Institute of Planners, the International Federation for Housing and Planning, and the
American Planning Association.
The annual PIA Awards for Planning Excellence are announced in different states as
close as possible to World Town Planning Day.
Excellent planning projects will be recognised at Gala Dinners on Friday 9th November in
Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, with New South Wales projects
announced on the 13th November.
Winning projects from each state and territory are then judged at a national level early in
the new year. Ms Currie said showcasing the professions best planning work helps to get
the message on good planning to the community.
“Not only does the Awards program give planners the opportunity to see the great work
being done by their colleagues around the country, but highlighting great planning projects
gives people an understanding of the value of planning.
“Tomorrow is a day to take a little notice of some of the great places in your own town or
city and spare a thought for a planner.”
PIA National President Dyan Currie
