Essay on "Planning Professional Code of Conduct Codes"

Essay 5 pages (1329 words) Sources: 8 Style: Harvard

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Planning Professional Code of Conduct

Codes of conduct in any industry are developed to bring about a standardized mode of professional behaviour. The following paper will discuss the conceptual and legal meaning of professionalism. This will be followed by a brief overview of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Code of Conduct. Whether this code of conduct addresses the conceptual and legal meaning of professionalism will be discussed. Lastly, whether or not the RTPI Code of Conduct encourages professional behaviour will be argued.

The Conceptual and Legal Meaning of Professionalism:

Professionalism, as a conceptual term, is ambiguous in nature. There have been a variety of definitions applied throughout the decades. In general, professionalism is individuals acting upon ideals and values during their service of individuals and population, who have entrusted them. Professionalism involves prioritizing the interests of clients being served above their own. Hammer et al. conceptualize professionalism as being akin to a bicycle wheel. In the center of the wheel are the core values associated with professionalism including: caring, honor, altruism, duty, and integrity. Spokes of behaviors that are associated with these values then radiate from the center, including: accountability, respect, compassion, and empathy. The outer ring of the concept, the tire of the wheel, is the surface of professionalism and includes such things as: punctuality, courtesy, and professional dress.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), in their Guide to the Assessment of Professional Competence, builds on this conceptual definition. Professionalism is a dedication to the identification of clients and the duties that are owed to these clients. It includes an understanding of the concept of conflict of interest. Lastly, according to RTPI, professionalism involves "a commitment to lifelong learning to maintain and expand professional competence" ("Guide," n.d.). Legally, professionalism involves following the national and local statutes and regulations that affect the industry. However, the legal definition fails to take into account the moral aspects of professionalism which are then reflected in an industry's code of conduct, such as the RTPI Code of Conduct.

The RTPI Code of Conduct:

The RTPI Code of Conduct was created to ensure all members acted with honesty, competence and integrity. It was developed to encourage members to utilize their professional judgment, while discharging their duties with due care and diligence. The Code of Conduct was also written to discourage discrimination, promote equal opportunity, and to ensure the profession was not brought into disrepute ("Code," 2007). To this end, the RTPI Code of Conduct charges it's members with a variety of clauses.

Members are charged with taking all reasonable steps to maintain their professional competence and encourage and support other members in their professional competence. Members shall not discriminate against others and will promote equal opportunity. Members shall not make reports or statements that are contrary to their true professional opinion. The RTPI Code of Conduct charges members with ensuring their private, personal, financial, and political interests do not cause of conflict of interest with their professional duties. In addition, members shall not disclose information acquired in confidence, or use it to their advantage ("Code," 2007).

Any discounts, gifts or commissions received in the course of their duties must be reported to the member's employer or client. Terms of engagement must also be spelled out before commencing work, and the client notified in writing if work in addition to this agreement must be undertaken. Members will ensure that their services are appropriate when accepting instructions from individuals, and members shall be insured against claims of breach of professional duty, per the RTPI regulations, as town planners. Members will also follow RTPI regulations regarding informing the Institute of the details of their practice, employment and business ("Code," 2007).

The RTPI Council may publish supplementary regulations and members agree to comply with any additions made. Members will work to ensure all town planning matters are conducted in accordance with the RTPI Code of Conduct, no matter who conducts the work. For members practising outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland,… READ MORE

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