The things I know - Philip Costa, Senior planner, CDN Planning Ltd

Planning, 12 December 2008

The University of Toronto as an undergraduate and Cardiff University as a postgraduate.

- What skills did you have when you graduated?

A broad understanding of the UK planning system and the principles of urban design.

- What attracted you to planning?

SimCity. But I was attracted by the opportunity to work on a range of projects and have a positive impact on the shape of towns and cities.

- What did you learn in your first job?

Having gaining notoriety for procrastination at university, dealing with real deadlines with little room to negotiate extensions was a challenge.

- What skills have you had to learn over your career?

Applying real principles to real projects, along with the art of negotiating and working directly with stakeholders and the public.

- What or who have been the biggest influences on your career?

My uncle was head of planning for a small village in Portugal and introduced me to the world of plans and development projects. Kedrick Davies and Graham Carlisle have been ongoing mentors at CDN.

- What is your career highlight?

Working with Derby City Council to deliver a permanent Gypsy and traveller site, where I acted as project manager and produced a detailed masterplan, and preparing a gateway masterplan for Weston-super-Mare.

- What have you learnt outside work that has influenced your career?

Planning is highly dynamic. Visiting other places demonstrates the history of how they take shape - the good, the bad and the ugly.

- What further skills do you aim to attain or develop?

Anger management and stress relief.

- How important is it to keep abreast of developments in allied professions?

It is essential to understand what is happening in other fields to communicate with other professionals, particularly when working on complex projects.