Minister visits Heriot-Watt as University opens new routes into town planning
A ministerial visit to Heriot-Watt University has highlighted the importance of developing Scotland’s future planners, as the University creates new routes into town planning to help tackle skills shortages and build the workforce needed to shape the country’s communities and places.
I truly believe that planning is a frontline service.
Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP
Minister for Public Finance
Together with Scottish Government, employers and professional partners, the University is widening access to the profession and helping to meet growing demand for planners across the country. Its work includes a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, and student placements with the Planning Improvement Service.
This work was showcased on Thursday 5 November, ahead of World Town Planning Day (Sunday 8 November 2026), when Scotland’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, visited the university’s Edinburgh campus to meet planning students and staff, including Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate.
Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, Minister for Public Finance, said: “It has been fantastic meeting future planners and staff at Heriot-Watt University. I truly believe that planning is a frontline service. There is nothing more important than the places we call home and the places and spaces that we spend most of our time in.
“Our planners have a hugely important role in shaping and creating how Scotland looks and how our places and homes feel and it’s vital that we engage with future planners to understand how exactly we can give support and visibility to the planning profession across Scotland going forward.”
The Minister also heard from recent recipients of scholarships funded by the Scottish Government's Future Planners Bursary, which aims to attract and support the next generation of planning professionals, with awards available to eligible students at Heriot-Watt and other Scottish universities.
The discussions focused on the growing demand for planners and the importance of creating new routes into the profession. The visit also highlighted Heriot-Watt's recently launched Graduate Apprenticeship pathway in planning, which offers a flexible learning approach for individuals seeking to enter or progress within the sector while continuing to work.
In addition, students and recent scholarship recipients had the opportunity to share their experiences of studying planning and pursuing careers which will shape the future of Scotland's communities and places.
Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate at Heriot-Watt University, said: "Planning plays a critical role in Scotland's future, from supporting sustainable development and economic growth to helping communities adapt to changing social and environmental needs.
"It was a pleasure to welcome Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP to Heriot-Watt and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. By working closely with government and industry, we can help develop the skilled planning workforce Scotland needs and create accessible pathways for people from a wide range of backgrounds to enter the profession. These efforts are closely aligned with Heriot-Watt Strategy 2035, which builds on our long-standing commitment to widening access to higher education while continuing to deliver excellence and innovation in planning education."
Alex MacLaren, Associate Professor of Architecture at Heriot-Watt University, said: "Universities have a vital role to play in developing the talent, knowledge and innovation needed to support Scotland's future workforce.
"We are proud to work alongside the Scottish Government and industry partners to help address skills challenges in the planning profession. Through initiatives such as our new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, we are creating new opportunities for learners while helping to meet the needs of employers and communities across Scotland."
The visit comes ahead of World Town Planning Day on 8 November, an annual opportunity to recognise the vital role planners play in creating sustainable, inclusive and prosperous places.
Heriot-Watt currently offers postgraduate planning education and, through its close collaboration with industry, local authorities, professional partners and communities, continues to innovate in both the content and delivery of its planning programmes to meet the evolving needs of the profession.
Recent developments include specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, as well as working alongside the Planning Improvement Service to provide placement opportunities for students as part of their programme.