Founded in the early 1970’s, the Consulting Planners of Massachusetts is an informal federation of planning consultants that has been organized to promote the private sector of the planning profession, to improve planning services to both public and private clients, and to participate cooperatively with all planning groups and activities.

We publish a Planning Consultant Directory of member firms that is distributed and included on this website. 

According to the American Planning Association, "planning, also called urban planning, town planning,  or city and regional planning, is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places for present and future generations.

Planning enables civic leaders, businesses, and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives.

Good planning helps create communities that offer better choices for where and how people live. Planning helps communities to envision their future. It helps them find the right balance of new development and essential services, environmental protection, and innovative change."  

Consulting planners provide services to public and private sector clients.  

• Consulting planners provide opportunity for client to get independent advice on a broad range of issues by seasoned professionals
• Planning profession includes professionals with diverse  expertise to address issues of land use, transportation, economic development, urban design, housing, natural and historic resources, engineering.  Firms may specialize in one or a number of these areas or incorporate a broad range of services. 
  
• Funding, zoning and project management are critical components of planning.  Many firms can assist with grant writing, zoning reform and project management.
  
• Planning with people is an essential strategy to understand the client’s goals, vision for the future and develop consensus during  the  process of planning and project implementation.  New technology has introduced a number of new tools for consensus building.