This March, ahead of International Women's Day we celebrate the women who shape our cities, communities, and futures through their involvement in the planning industry. From policymaking, transport, housing, and environmental design, women in planning play a critical role in creating places that are more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.
Historically, planning has not always reflected diverse voices of society with historic profiles of the industry lacking female representation. Yet over time, women planners have consistently pushed the profession forward, advocating for safer public spaces, equitable access to services, affordable housing, and community-led decision making. Their work reminds us that planning is not just about land use or infrastructure, but about people and everyday life shaping communities that thrive for future generations.
Today, women in planning lead major projects to completion, influencing policy at every level, mentoring the next generation, and challenging sometimes outdated norms within the profession. They bring expertise, creativity, and lived experience that enrich planning outcomes and help ensure cities work for everyone, across gender, age, ability, and background. Women can offer a real perspective on modern living and are able to add an extra dimension on sometimes outdated perceptions of what makes a scheme successful.
However, there is still work to be done. Gender inequality persists in leadership representation, pay, and recognition across the planning sector. International Women’s Day is not only a moment to celebrate achievements, but also to recommit to creating workplaces and planning systems that value diverse perspectives and provide equal opportunities to thrive.
As we look to the future, empowering women in planning is essential to building better places. By supporting inclusive leadership, amplifying women’s voices, and fostering equitable pathways into the profession, we strengthen planning itself. It is also a priority to ensure that young women considering planning as a profession are encouraged by role models who they may aspire to. With a historic decline in interest in planning as a profession for young people it is more important than ever to shine a light on inspirational women.
This International Women’s Day, we recognise and thank the women who create, plan, support, design, advocate, inspire and lead, helping to create connected communities and promote the industry for generations to come.
The following resources are helpful signposts for future discussions, research and shining a spotlight on women in planning:
International Women’s Day Milton Keynes: International Women’s Day Event Milton Keynes 06.03.26 – Women in Enterprise
Women in Planning: Women in Planning UK
Women of Influence: The Planner’s Women of Influence 2025
Women and Planning: Past, Present and Future: Championing the power of planning
Commonwealth Women in Planning Network: Women in Planning
How to get in touch…
You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.
T: 01908 592580 E: [email protected]
Recent Posts
Sustainable Development in Planning
Sustainable Development in Planning: Moving Beyond Policy Compliance
International Women’s Day 2026
Women in Planning: Shaping Places, Shaping Futures
Client Feedback
Testimonials from some of our clients