ERASMUS hosted by 'Mental Planners'

Some of the Crowd who attended the Students Exchange programme hosted by the Planning Society. This is a worthwhile programme, which gives students an opportunity to study abroad. Thanks to the array of speakers and past Erasmus students who volunteered to present their Erasmus experience! Thanks to the Lecturers and the Planning Committee for the light refreshments. It was a pleasant evening for all.

2010 National Planning Conference, Tullamore Co. Offaly.

 

The Planning Committee presented on behalf of the DIT Planning class, the Local area Plan of Bettystown-Laytown in Co. Meath. We presented it to Meath County Council and also to Minister Ciaran Cuffe at the IPI Conference in Tullamore. The Planning Conference was held for two days and we would like to thank our Lecturer Paul Lawlor for his enthusiasm. An enjoyable two days was had by all the Planning Committee.
I would like to congratulate Aoife Doyle, Rachel Ivers and Jean Ryan who will be representing DIT at this years Planning Conference in Galway. Best of luck!

This May 2010 report is on the DIT Archive website (http://www.dit.ie/).

Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe with DIT Spatial Planning Students (from left), Colin Broderick, Eoin Stapleton, Aoife Doyle and Aine Geraghty.

The 2010 National Planning Conference took place in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on April 15th and 16th last and DIT Students from the School of Spatial Planning (Bolton Street) made a presentation of their recent Local Area Plan Project of Bettystown in County Meath to both Delegates of the Conference and the Minister of State for Planning and Heritage, Ciaran Cuffe.

Aoife Doyle and Aine Geraghty from DIT presenting the Bettystown Local Area Plan Project to Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe.

The Local Area Plan Project of Bettystown was completed in partnership with Meath County Council between September and December 2009. The Project focussed on a number of key themes which were seen as particularly important to the sustainable planning and future development of Bettystown. These key themes, which were identified by DIT Spatial Planning students during their survey and during discussions with Meath County Council, were as follows;

• Sustainable Housing & Settlement
• Transport
• Social Infrastructure & Economic Development
• Heritage and Conservation
• Tourism
• Open Space & Recreation

The Local Area Plan Project is a Third Year Module in the BSc Spatial Planning (DT106) Programme http://www.dit.ie/faculties/built/spatial-planning/environment/bscprogrammes and it is intended to give students the practical experience of preparing a Local Area Plan for a location in Ireland. This module is normally undertaken in conjunction with the forward planning sections of a Local Authority who identify a town or settlement in their county that they would like to see covered and prepare a project brief in conjunction with the academic staff of DIT. The students are then briefed by the Local Authority Planners during the field survey and the preparation of the draft Local Area Plan takes place over a three month period. The final Local Area Plan Project is presented to the Local Authority Planners at the final Crit. Projects undertaken to date as part of this module are as follows;

• Portarlington (2006): Offaly County Council
• Clara (2007): Offaly County Council
• Glendalough & Laragh (2008): Wicklow County Council
• Bettystown (2009): Meath County Council

LEAD Personal Development Plan 27th March 2011

1) LEAD

The Personal Development Plan identifies the following

• The Students key skills
• Goals
• Learning opportunities
• Assessment of success
• Timeline for Completion
• Evidence of learning

Through your extra-curricular and co-curricular activities you must reflect on the key skills and knowledge you acquired and illustrate this by providing evidence either scrap books, posters, documents, reports or photos.

I am involved in the Students Union, Irelands Young Planners Committee and the Planning Society in DIT, Bolton Street. I have selected the following three skills which I could further develop during the LEAD Module.

1) Communication
2) Problem-Solving
3) Planning and Organising

These skills can be further developed and utilised in the Workplace when I graduate in May this year.
My Personal Development Plan is crucial in making me aware of the essential skills I have expressed through the LEAD Module. This can be the portal which I can further pursue and develop my employability skills.  

1) Communication

Membership has to be gathered for the Irish Young Planners Group (IYP) by mid May. I will talk to all the Young Planners from first through to fourth year in DIT to make them aware of this new (IYP) Committee. The purpose is to gather non student email addresses so the Committee can contact Planning Students on the various Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and non-IPI events in the forthcoming year. Last year, it was firmly realised that Graduate Planners were unreachable, 'out of the loop' because non student addresses were not provided. This new Committee, can overcome this problem and I can rectify this issue by verbally informing Planning Students. The next Committe Meeting is scheduled for the 19th of May and the Minutes of the Meeting will determine whether Membership was successful or unsuccessful.

2) Problem-Solving

Unfortunately, this year saw the demise of the Environmnetal Society. However, the Planning Society can be the niche drawing both Planning and Environmental Students together. During this year the Planning Society became much bigger and more involved in joint events for example the Circus Rave and Superbowl Sunday! Diversity is the spice of life! The Planning Society has an open door policy with membership ranging from architects, environmentalists, enginners you name it!

The issue being discussed here is 'Green Week' which was previously ran by the Environmental Society and this year the Planners decided to run the Event which will start on the 4th of April. This involves budgeting, organising speakers, posters, time management, setting up rooms for talks and displaying a film. The Committee discussed the talks we would have, decided on a range of themes which would cover a broad range of student interests across the DIT sites. We ordered T-shirts for 'Green Week', organised extra people to be involved and networked through our 'Mental Planners' Facebook site and face-to-face to ensure a successful turnout.
We are a Competitive Society with high hopes for 'Green Week' which we believe will be bigger and better than last year! Posters have been placed around the College and this is further proof of our efforts, involving all students during 'Green Week'.

3) Planning and Organising

I am naturally an organised person and being Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Society this skill has been further expanded over the last two years. I suppose being a 'Spatial Planner' is also a further incentive to plan efficiently! I always strive to reach deadlines either in individual or group Projects. This is an important quality in a person and in the Planning Society, the committee members have this desirable trait which is why it is achieving such success.
There have been challenges along the way particularly in organising 'Green week' we must ensure all the Speakers are well looked after. Time is of the essence and because I am in final year we must acquire extra help from the new Committee members, the third years.

Write and Record information in a personal Diary and circulate via email to all group members

• Committee Meetings
• Speakers
• Students-extra helpers
• Timetabling

I had to acquire timetables of the third year students to see when they were available and willing to help. I had to decide on which rooms we would use for talks to ensure they were free at designated times. I had to draw up a rooster of Speakers to make sure the event runs as professionally as possible. During the event photographs will be taken of speakers, students and the wider public which can be displayed on our 'Mental Planners' facebook website. Some speakers are confirmed while others will be in contact during the week. Some students have expressed interest in helping us and they will be contacted by the end of this week. I think this 'Green Week' will have good attendance and generate a positive atmosphere in the College.

Don't forget to wear 'GREEN' ....Hope to see you all there in Bolton Street, on the 4th of April!

16th March 2011: Acting Committee of the Irish Planning Institute Young Planners Network

I was delighted to hear I was appointed as a Volunteer onto the Young Planners Network.

This will provide further scope to build on my existing communication skills.

The Committee met today from 6.30-8.30pm to discuss the goals of the Young Planners Network (YPN) which will be pursued over the next six months.

The second meeting is scheduled for the 19th May 2011 and this is the target date set for Membership.

1) Communication skills will be activated through talking to the first, second, third and fourth year Planners in DIT, Bolton Street. The emphasis will be on raising awareness of the Young Planners Network (YPN) to the fortunate students still at College and targeting members, 'who are not in the loop'.

In the many suggestions made by Committee members I will need to address Planning Students on the benefits of the (YPN) which will support Graduate work experience, organise events, educational programmes, liase with National Council and Branches and will involve many interested people through Social networking sites.

The problem identified at the Meeting was Graduate Planners were unreachable and this 'out of the loop' scenario requires a database of Young Planners with their email addressess.

In order to achieve my goal students if they wish can give me their original email addresses so they are contactable after they leave or while they are still in College.

I will know I am successful if I get consent from some of the fourth year Planning Students before they Graduate in May.

I will also raise awareness from first, second and third years to get involved in the (YPN) and emphasise that some of the events will be free!

The number of email addressess consenting to Membership with the (YPN) will prove I am an effective communicator and the task has been successfully completed.

Day 1 Technology Failure

Day 1 Lead Introduction Module 14th March 2011

Hi,

As the Profile indicates I am a final year Undergraduate Student in Spatial Planning and Environmental Management, DIT, Bolton Street. Currently Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Society, DIT, Bolton Street.

It is a novelty to take part in this LEAD Module, well I would say learning experience with such an enthusiastic bunch of people!
The day started well with an Icebreaker Session. Ground Rules were set one of which was Confidentiality so no names will be given to the interesting people I met on the Course! The Module selected a diverse range of people from all backgrounds some with interesting stories boxing for a Charity event, Working with the All Blacks, Adventure Racing, Organic Farmer and a Fashion enthusiast!

Everyone was aloof at the beginning, although as the Talks continued the topic on Employability Skills
What they are? Why they are important? and How might they be developed? triggered awareness of current skills and ones we could develop during the Module. It was about stepping back and evaluating your successes and failures with regards Job Interviews. The aim was to realise what skills and attributes I can bring to my desired Job. Reflect and acknowledge on the skills I have, which I can apply to the jobs I am interested in. This is learning, reflecting and following through on an action which could be done differently to maximise success.

The term Employability is defined as what knowledge, skills and attributes someone gains throughout extra-Curricular activities, Degree, Work Experience, transferable skills and from many other sources. (Hunt Report, 2010). Throughout the Session the one I was thinking of was Motivation and Passion which I have in studying Spatial Planning. If you are interested in something for example a particular subject area you are more likely to succeed, similiarly with the Career path you choose. Therefore, it is important to reflect on your skill set, evidence them, assess how I can use them and what I can do differently. 

Break Time was another chance to mingle and have a much needed Tea or coffee ....

We were divided into Groups In my group there was a mixed bag of Juggling, Ski and Mental Planners Soc.
The group discussed Initiative/Enterprise and an insight into other Societies was useful. People talked about what they had achieved and their desired future goals for their Societies. I learnt the importance of reflection to realise for example a member had problem-solved without him even knowing that he had done so until we talked about overcoming problems. The email system had gone down and he Messaged members instead and took the initiative to set up a database as the number of people in his Society exceeded the number of texts that could be sent on a daily basis.

I shared with the group my experience in the Mental Planners Soc of handing over the Society in relation to the skill of innovation. The personal goal was to involve new people, generate new ideas, organise lunch time meetings to ensure all members have a say in their Planning Society. During the meetings I listened, recorded interests and ideas of events we could pursue. The Learning experience would be through asking the Members for Feedback on their hopes for the Societies future, what they would like to see or any changes they may have. The Society has collaborated moreso this year with other Societies in organising events which has proved to be successful. The Circus Rave was organised in partnership with numerous Societies and due to our effort in PR and 'putting the word out there' we are in talks with the Engineering Society in helping them organise their Engineering Ball Event. Networking during Clubs and Socs training at the start of the year facilitated this get to know atmosphere and this is crucial to any Socs success! The domino-effect organising one event leading onto more events will grow the society further by this coming May.

Anita gave a talk on Reflective thinking and strongly noted to be honest and objective in your thinking. This is a personal journey an assessment of what I can achieve through utilising my planning and organisation skills. This reflective diary assisted with notes and the process of personal development planning can guide my own personal journey which is critical to the Learning Agreement. The main point is not just to look at achievements but to learn from failures, reflect on them and realise a path of change to move forward and be more successful next time.

After the generous lunch vouchers we rambled up to the Labs to attend a tutorial on 'How to set up a Blog Account'? and a youtube video assisted us in this regard. It was a simple procedure as our demonstrator advised us on privacy settings, title of our blog and our commitment of writing 2,000 words a week to be posted on our Blog site. As my close friends and family would know me well for mislaying my mobile recently it was no surprise when my Blog wouldn't set up unlike like everyone elses. I decided I would set it up that evening as the exercise was easy to follow. When this task was complete we marched downstairs to schedule a group meeting with our Mentors. We discussed what we would do for the next meeting which we scheduled for the 1st April so we were all on the same wavelength. The meeting concluded

1) What we will be doing in the future in relation to a Time plan?
2) Reflect on three skills and through evidence draw on where they were experienced?
3) Draw on what you learnt in these experiences the successes and failures?
(Refer to LEAD Handbook pg, 4)

Finally, the Session ended with thanks to the Academic Staff, Speakers and Students that attended the first ever Pilot LEAD Programme in Cathal Brugha Street, DIT.
Questions and Answers summed up the evening and we all made our merry way home to start blogging!

Sincere thanks to all the Speakers and colleagues that attended it was an enjoyable first day on the LEAD Team.