ABSTRACT
Planners need to be able to communicate fluently and effectively with a variety of audiences and be able to do so in written, oral, and graphic forms. They also need to understand the context in which the communication is to occur, and with whom, and judiciously select the form and content to best reach desired audiences. But such skills are rarely part of planning curricula. The growth of information technology, the rising influence given to public input, and the acknowledgment of the emotive, qualitative, and subjective aspects of planning, all make understanding communication methods vital. Oral, written, and graphic communication all require different skills, which will each need adaptation depending on the context and the audience the planner wishes to reach.
