Dr Conor Norton MIPI has been elected President of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) for 2020 and 2021. A professional planner and urban designer with 25 years’ experience in the private and public sectors in Ireland and abroad, Dr Norton has been involved in academia at both Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and University College Dublin since 1998. He is currently Head of the School of Transport Engineering, Environment and Planning at TU Dublin. As a consultant, he has prepared and contributed to national policy and best practice for local area planning, flood risk management, urban roads and streets and unfinished residential developments.

Commenting on his election, Dr Norton said: “It is a great honour to be elected President of the Irish Planning Institute at such a crucial time for planning. The planning profession is at an exciting crossroads following a period of unprecedented change and policy development. Following the publication of the National Planning Framework, the draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, the spotlight is now falling on our Local Authorities charged with publishing their six year statutory Development Plans. The Irish Planning Institute has always acknowledged that sustainable development and better outcomes for communities is dependent on strong and effective plan making that meaningfully engages with the public and other key stakeholders.”
Dr Norton further outlined his ambitions for the planning profession during the course of his presidency. “Recent changes in planning policy, planning legislation and environmental directives and the forthcoming National Marine Planning Framework have placed an increasing burden on planners at all levels across the planning system. During my presidency, the Institute will implement a comprehensive and robust programme for continued professional development of planners working right across the planning system to ensure they are equipped to meet the challenges of a new era in planning.”

Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE