As planners, we draw upon a range of concepts and perspectives in our work. We are required to bring together diverse, complex and sometimes controversial views in order to generate progressive outcomes and 'broker' solutions that respond to multiple stakeholder interests. As foundations to this broad remit, there are a number of core skills and techniques that shape the planners' task. This course is intended to introduce and build those foundational skills - from learning to read architectural plans and drawings, plan making and writing, awareness of urban information and data resources through to key analytical techniques and approaches that define the planners' role. The course aims to provide all planing students with an effective tool kit of skills and techniques that will assist in their broader understanding of what planners actually do when we 'plan'. It also builds invaluable skills in developing approaches to thinking about and undertaking tasks within other courses across the degree.