It concerns itself with the scientific, aesthetic and orderly disposition of land and resources and the location of facilities, buildings and services over a given territory. Professional planning is a multidisciplinary, knowledge-based activity with roots in engineering, law, architecture, public health, geography, ecology, economics and social sciences. They combine design and analysis skills, are linkage builders and facilitators and possess strong problem solving, consensus finding and team building skills. Some also work in non-profit, community organizations. CIP lists 740 planning firms.
Most firms are small and include many sole practitioners.
However, planning firms often work in small groups or consortia. When they do, they often do it in the context of international technical assistance or for clients pursuing large scale urban development and capital projects. As planning service business opportunities in Canada have been declining, more and more planners have begun to consider exporting their services. The opportunities for Canadian planners are thus immense.