Study Skills for Town and Country Planning

Sheppard and Smith provide a clear, accessible and friendly guide to studying to become a planner, with great tips, insight and advice – including what employers will be looking for and the importance of lifelong learning. This book will prove to be a valuable resource, at a time when it’s critical that we engage more people in considering planning as a career. -- Michael Harris
This is a very impressive book which takes the study of town and country planning very seriously and treats its complexities with respect. Whilst the book sets out the very necessary critical learning skills required to purposively engage with land use planning in the higher education sector – it would also be a humbling read for those who are ignorant of its role in a modern society and economy.  The book is written in an engaging and relaxed way and takes the reader through a logically progressive sequence of skills which explain why each is necessary and well as exploring their substantive contents.  Whilst set in the context of England and Wales it offers the building blocks applicable to studying planning elsewhere. There are excellent explanations of the importance of time management, team working and negotiation. The authors are to be applauded, this is a refreshing contribution to studying and reflecting on planning.   -- Greg Lloyd
If you are thinking of studying town and country planning at university, this book tells you what to expect and how to succeed. After introducing the way that planning works in different parts of the UK, and explaining the transition from school to higher education, it takes the reader through the range of skills they will be expected to develop as they become planners. These skills are very diverse and include negotiation, photography, understanding maps, giving presentations and working in teams. It′s written in a way that helps the student to self-assess and the key messages are clearly set out. If you had not thought about planning as the career for you, maybe read this book and think again -- Cliff Hague