IntroductionA contemporary planning practice focuses on important developments and outcomes that will improve the liveability of countries and cities in its global context. However, it is unclear which process develops a thriving planning practice. Through the analysis of the selected topics, it will be made clear that to exceed planning objectives and create a successful contemporary planning practice, teamwork is required. This is supported by the fact that “a team has a common goal or purpose in which team members can develop effective relationships with each other to achieve team goals” (Harris & Harris, 1996). Reiterate that teamwork in planning is important; this essay will explain the importance of teams in planning, the characteristics of effective teams, strategies for overcoming conflicts, and the stages of an effective team. This essay will also link to relevant case studies. Why Teams Matter in Planning In contemporary planning practice, collaborative planning is critical in three areas. These three areas are multi-stakeholder planning processes, multidisciplinary issues and interdisciplinary planning practice (Johnson, 2013). In modern planning practices, planners aim to improve the quality of life by integrating economically financeable projects, socially sustainable works and environmentally sustainable plans (Healey, 1998). Since planning is quite a challenging task, teamwork is essentially necessary to achieve every aspect of sustainable development. Otherwise the workload demand for project planning becomes a daunting task if the development stages within a team are not evident. This theory is reinforced by planning theorist and professor of urban and rural planning, Patsy Healy, as she believes that collaborating...... middle of paper ...... and contemporary planning practice as they describe an effective team capable of achieving many things, every planning firm with its own team of planning professionals will go through these stages if the team is successful in their work. Conclusion Through the analysis of selected topics and case studies, it is evident that to run a successful contemporary planning practice that achieves goals and objectives, teamwork is essential. An in-depth analysis of why teamwork is important in planning, the characteristics of an effective team, strategies for overcoming conflict, and the stages of an effective team was conducted, demonstrating the relationship that contemporary planning practices they have with teamwork. The procedure behind successful contemporary planning practices is no longer unclear as it is evident that the driving force behind its success is indeed teamwork.