ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the importance of diverse professions. Using survey material it identifies the issues and barriers facing under-represented groups and investigates how these issues have persisted over time. The chapter starts by asking why do we have diverse professions. It then goes on to examine the diversity of the planning profession and what issues face under-represented groups. It looks at how mainstreaming can be applied to the profession, the institutes responses so far, and considers two specific initiatives introduced by a planning agency to increase the proportion of women and the number of black and ethnic planners.
