Human Resources in Canada's Built Heritage Sector: Mapping the ...

HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT HERITAGE SECTORUrban PlannersOverview of Occupation:• When employed by governments, Urban Planners develop and administer policies related to landand site use. In the private sector, Urban Planners assist private developers in devising and presentingdevelopment proposals consistent with land use plans, or when necessary, seeking exemptionfrom official plans.• This occupation is not specific or unique to the built heritage sector.• Urban Planners are directly involved with the built heritage sector in so far as official land use planstake account (or fail to take account) of the built heritage sector.• In municipal governments, primary responsibility for developing and administering policies for thebuilt heritage sector may rest with persons employed as Urban Planners.Training and Education:• Urban Planners typically have university level training at the undergraduate or post-graduate level in:• urban planning,• architecture,• geography• Some university programmes offer courses in built heritage conservation, though, in the main, theseare not mandatory.Occupational or Professional Regulation:• The profession is regulated at the provincial level. In some provinces, a reserved title, e.g., “RegisteredProfessional Planner” is available to persons who meet training and experience eligibility criteria.Key Skills unique to the Built Heritage Sector:• Knowledge of relevant statutes and regulations pertinent to built heritage structures.• Familiarity with conservation standards and guidelines.• Familiarity with cultural and economic role of built heritage sector and exposure to conservation philosophies.• Ability to review proposals involving built heritage sites.Associations or Administrative Bodies concerned with Professional orOccupational Standards, Licensing or Certification:• Canadian Institute of Planners is the national body representing seven counterpart associations/institutes/ordre (6 provincial associations, plus one Atlantic association). http://www.cip-icu.ca/Potential Issues:• At present, certification in this occupation does not require any substantive familiarity with the builtheritage sector or the potential developmental uses of built heritage structures.• At present, training for this occupation does not require exposure to the cultural and economic roleof the built heritage sector or the adaptation of built heritage structures to modern uses.NOC:• 2153 Urban and Land User Planners78©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL