Miriam Leathes - Town Planning
With the Olympic torch now properly handed over to London, work to prepare for the 2012 games is well and truly underway.
The Olympics are big news, of course, for the construction industry, so we thought we’d have a look at some of the graduate roles in that sector, and met with Miriam Leathes, who works as a ‘town planner’ with one of the construction firms involved in building the Olympic village, Arup Group.
So, what exactly does a planner in the construction industry do?
By Karen Jensen
What does a Town Planner do?
Town planners are concerned with managing the development of both urban and rural areas in order deliver growth that best serves the needs of present and future generations.
What are the main issues?
Planners often have to deal with competing demands, priorities and interests; it is the role of the planner to analyse and evaluate these demands and to identify the best option for the way forward. Therefore, planners have to be creative problem solvers and be highly analytical and practical. They have to be able to listen to and negotiate with diverse groups of people to come up with imaginative solutions acceptable to all parties.
Describe your day.
There isn’t really a typical day, as work varies from project to project. I am typically working on three or four projects at a time, which may involve desk-based research, liaising with clients via e-mail and phone, site visits, internal and external meetings and events.
What sort of work do you do?
The contracts that we undertake at Arup are hugely varied. For example, I am currently working on the London Olympics, where we have been appointed as planning agents for structures, bridges and highways. I am also currently working on a survey of historic environment resourcing in Scotland, a brownfield land review in London, and a major planning application for a new road in Sussex.
What other projects have you worked on?
Previously, I have been involved in a number of research projects for the government, relating to different aspects of the planning system, submission of a major application for 9,500 homes for a new town in Cambridgeshire, a strategic master planning framework for Peterborough, a site assessment for an international conference centre in London and numerous other smaller jobs.
Is most of your work UK-based?
Yes – though as a firm we also undertake work abroad. Recently our planning department has been working in China, Russia, Dubai Abu Dhabi and India.
What has been your most interesting project so far?
I am really enjoying my involvement with the 2012 Olympics, as you get a real insight into the project as a whole – its great to have been involved in such an internationally important event.
Do you specialise?
Not yet as I enjoy the variety, but I have had the opportunity to develop new skills in a number of areas, including GIS [geographical information system – the storage of geographic data], urban design and masterplanning.
Do you produce a lot of technical drawings?
No, not personally, but Arup is primarily an engineering firm, so there are frequent opportunities to work on multi-disciplinary projects. For example, our involvement with the Olympics has meant that I have had to work very closely with engineers and designers, which has involved a lot of technical drawings!
Do most Town Planners work for a particular firm or are they freelance?
Most town planners either work for local government or a private consultancy. You can however work freelance, although you would need to have considerable personal experience before that would be an option.
Are you busy all the time or does the work arrive in spurts?
I am busy all the time! Projects vary in their duration from a few months to several years, but we are always working on several at once. As a private consultancy, winning new work through a competitive tendering process is a key part of what we do, and successful tendering means that there are always lots of new projects starting up all the time.
What did you want to do when you were at school? And when did you actually choose this profession?
I wanted to be all sorts of things, from a vet to a nurse to a marine biologist. However, I developed a really strong interest in geography at school, which I pursued at university. Town Planning was a good choice, as it is basically applied geography.
What degree do you have?
Geography, from St Andrews. I then did an Urban and Regional Planning MSc at Heriot Watt.
Was it difficult getting into Town Planning?
It is useful to have a masters or undergraduate degree in planning, which most private consultancies require as a matter of course. If you don’t have a planning related degree, most local authorities and some private consultancies will offer to sponsor you through a part time masters
What advice can you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Having never worked in local government, I am not sure what their requirements are, although it is always a good idea to have a planning or related degree as this will give you the edge when applying for jobs. There is a general shortage of planners in the UK so you will almost always be able to get a job – but it is fairly competitive amongst the top consultancies. Work experience will also set you apart, and it’s usually fairly easy to find some, as local authorities are often especially short of resources – particularly during the summer holiday months.
What qualifications did you need to get started in work?
You usually need an undergraduate degree or masters in planning or a closely related discipline. Some employers will offer to put you through these courses part-time, during your first few years of work.
Did you get any financial sponsorship as a student?
Yes, I got a grant from the then ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) -now CLG to do a Masters in planning. The grant covered my tuition fees and provided a generous contribution towards living expenses. The grants are awarded on a competitive application basis, and do now require that the recipients spend a certain amount of time in local government on finishing their masters.
What body specialises in training and awarding qualifications in your profession?
RTPI [Royal Town Planning Institute]. You can apply for chartership once you have two years of experience.
Are the qualifications you obtained essential to do your job?
Most employers will expect you to have a relevant qualification, or to be working towards it.
Did you line up your job before you left university?
Yes, I applied to Arup at Christmas and was fixed up for a job in September by April.
Are there further qualifications that you could take? Will you take them? Will your company pay?
You can always undertake further study in a related discipline – for example surveying, sustainable development or more technical areas such as GIS. Arup are generally quite good at supporting you in this, provided that you can demonstrate that it would be of benefit to you and the company. I am currently working towards my RTPI chartership, but might consider a further qualification after that.
Do you ‘get your hands dirty’ or are you desk-bound?
A bit of both. Much of the day-to-day work is desk-based. But we also spend a lot of time meeting clients etc, as well as going on site visits. Generally the more senior you are, the more chances you get to leave the office, although Arup are very good at encouraging junior members of staff to go to meetings, etc, as well.
Have you been anywhere recently?
Yes – the Olympic Park, which was very muddy and dirty! There are also opportunities to travel, depending on the nature and location of the job. I have, for example, spent some time in Edinburgh working on some research for the Scottish Government.
What sort of person do you think would make a good Town Planner? (Or a bad one!)
Someone who enjoys geography, and has an interest and or concern for the world around them and how that will develop in the future.
Is the work stressful?
Sometimes – we are often working to tight project deadlines, but so long as you plan and organise your workload properly there isn’t usually a problem.
What is the pay like?
Good – Arup are extremely competitive in terms of salary, and they also offer lots of flexi benefits such as extra holiday. Private sector planners generally get a better deal than the public sector, although the work can be more stressful.
What do you think are the biggest needs of the industry right now?
Generally, more skilled and intelligent graduates. More specifically, delivering sustainable development and addressing climate change are the big issues of the moment.
Does your company take many graduates? How are they chosen?
Yes, we take on about six or seven each year – usually two or three in London and a few in the regional offices (Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle). You have to apply online around December time, and will be invited to an assessment day in London after that.
Do you think it is a good career to choose?
Yes – particularly if you enjoy variety and have an interest in the urban and rural environment.
What tips and advice would you give someone thinking of becoming a Town Planner?
Get some work experience – preferably with someone who you would like to work for in the future.
What do you like about your profession?
The variety, the chance to make a difference to how development takes place in the future, and the people I work with.
Is there anything you hate?
Data entry!
