The IPI YPN Skills, Training and Career Guidance Seminar will take place on Friday, 4th November 2011 at the UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy, UCD Richview, Dublin 14. The event seminar will include a series of short talks and lectures on international planning systems and alternative or non-traditional careers in planning. More details and detailed programme to follow.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT AND ALL PLANNERS AND STUDENT PLANNERS ARE WELCOME. Places are strictly limited so please book early to ensure your place. RSVP to ypn@ipi.ie – we look forward to seeing you there!!

The IPI Young Planners Network and guests are cordially invited to the Launch of the IPI Young Planners Network on Thursday, 6th October 2011 at the Convention Centre Dublin, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. The event, entitled ‘Planning for Economic Recovery’ will be a panel discussion featuring special guests Frank McDonald (The Irish Times) and Ciaran Cuffe (Lecturer, DIT School of Spatial Planning and former Minister of Planning). The event will run from 6.00-8.00 p.m. and will be followed by a social event. This is a free event, but places are strictly limited so please book early to ensure your place. RSVP to ypn@ipi.ie – we look forward to seeing you there!!

The Irish Planning Institute is pleased to announce details of the 2011 Irish Planning Institute Autumn Conference, which will take place on Friday, 21st October 2011 at the Gibson Hotel, the Point Village, Dublin 1 on the topic of ‘Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment’. This year’s Autumn Conference will build on the success of the 2009 IPI Autumn Conference by reviewing recent developments in legislation, policy and guidance concerning Appropriate Assessment of the impacts of plans and projects on Natura 2000 sites. The aim of the Conference is to provide attendees with practical solutions to the difficulties and challenges that arise in the undertaking of Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment. In addition, through panel discussion, the Conference will provide attendees with a forum for the exchange of views on the implications for spatial planning in Ireland of recent developments in environmental law and policy.

The planning system is typically where the areas of Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment are generally encountered by practitioners. Many projects, ranging from a single dwelling to a county development plan, will require one or both of these assessments. Whilst there has been much focus in recent times of the role of ecologists in these fields, it is apparent that planners (in their role as the competent authority) are usually the decision makers in relation to such issues. The purpose of this conference is to ensure all participants in the planning process (planning officers and local authority staff, planning consultants, Directors of Services, developers, ecologists, members of the public) understand the processes involved and their roles in AA and SEA.

The Conference will include talks from Local Authority Heritage Officers on how to screen for Appropriate Assessment and the opportunities afforded by Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment for spatial planning. Other speakers will look at how to assess impacts on site integrity and an overview of recent case law in the area. In addition, a panel discussion in which prominent planning professionals will discuss topical issues in a “Questions and Answers” format. Participants will be given the opportunity to submit questions to the panel in advance. For more details and for information on how to book, please see the IPI website.

UCD CPD Modules
UCD Architecture are offering a limited number of places in post-graduate modules this autumn. This is an opportunity for you to develop new skills and sample a post-graduate programme.

Modules include: Design, Culture & Dublin, Urban Design Studio, Mapping, Modelling & Imaging, Architectural Practice, Construction Legislation, Procurement & Contracts.

Fees: €575 per 5 ECTS and €1,150. per 10 ECTS module. This includes attendance at lectures, tutorials etc. assessments, course handouts, UCD student card and library membership.

Enquiries: architecturecpd@ucd.ie or to Michelle Murray (01) 716 2761 (Monday- Wednesday). Places in these modules are limited and subject to approval through a selection process.

Wind Energy Training
A one day introduction to wind energy training will take place on the 18th of August 2011. The course is organised through Skillnets and the Irish Wind Energy Association. This one day course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of wind energy. Anyone wanting to gain an overview understanding of the wind energy industry will benefit and topics to be covered include an overview of the wind industry, planning issues, grid connection and a view to the future.

After the course participants will understand the fundamentals of wind power development and have an insight into some of the main challenges and opportunities facing the sector over the next decade. Skillnets offer some free training to job-seekers. Further details can be obtained from Johanna Cafferkey, Tel: 045 899 341, Email: johanna@iwea.com.

Ireland’s largest architectural event, Open House Dublin, presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation, returns from Thursday the 7 –9 October 2011.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF CHANGE  will explore how good design can be a catalyst for change and positively touch all our lives: from large scale master planning to small but skillful interventions in residential design.  This is the sixth year that Dublin will join major cities around the world – including London, New York and Toronto – to host this exciting and immensely popular event annually.

When: 7 – 9 October 2011

Where: Amazing places in Dublin you may not have ever seen before

Why would I do this? Explore another side of the city, help to run one of the most exciting architecture festivals worldwide, skip the queues with your volunteer credentials to get into over 100 buildings on this year’s programme, meet loads of new people, and join all the OH crew at the after party on Sunday night!

How to get involved: If you are interested or have any questions, email Niamh at volunteers@architecturefoundation.ie or view the Irish Architecture Foundation website.

The IPI Young Planners Network Inaugural Event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 6th October 2011 at the Convention Centre Dublin. More details to follow shortly.

Following the success of last year’s IPI Employment Skills and Career Guidance Seminar for Graduate Planners, the YPN will hold the second annual IPI Employment Skills and Career Guidance Seminar at University College Dublin later this year.  Keep an eye on the ‘Events’ page for updates and details on how to reserve your place.