United by Diversity; Planning as a Common Passion. With its 1000 individual members, over 72 company memberships and an increasing number of institutional members and supporters such as academies and governments, the BNSP very amply represents the professions of Urban Designers and Planners. Without discriminating between the members' level of education, professional profile or occupational scope this organisation is active in the very wide field of urban planning. 35% of its members work for governments, 45% for consultancy firms and 10% are teaching. The BNSP itself is a member of the European Council of Town Planners, the international body for similar organisations in the European Union member states.

All members of the BNSP are involved in the urban and rural planning of The Netherlands. It is of great social importance that this planning meets high quality standards, not only for present but also for future generations. Consequently, it is the mandate of the BNSP to function as a platform for its members, and thus stimulate the generation, enhancement and exchange of knowledge which will then enable the BNSP to promote the profession of Designers and Planners and be a fully-fledged discussion partner.

Goals

With The Netherlands being a very broad-minded, but also very packed country, Urban Designers and Planners play a pivotal role. Their plans and projects largely determine the environmental organisation and quality of our country, and at the same time offer food for thought and discussion. These days the public increasingly asks Urban Designers and Planners to account for their work. At the same time the profession itself is rapidly changing with new working relationships and new responsibilities developing every day.

The BNSP wants to be a beacon in this dynamic world and therefore it:

• Stimulates the high professional level of its members;
• Provides a meeting point, in particular for the young professionals;
• Supports co-operation and exchange of know-how and expertise;
• Participates in discussions, policy making and decision making processes and management in a co-operative, collective and respected manner;
• Protects its (in)direct members both collectively and individually.

The BNSP is considered an authority on national and international level and wants to maintain this position. With its tradition and experience dating back as far as 1934 its focus is both on the present and on the future. The BNSP holds high its professionalism and quality, simultaneously remaining accessible for every Urban Designer and Planner. The BNSP gears its activities to the profession itself, yet never loses education nor science out of sight; it is there for the experienced and the new professionals.