Adjunct Professor Niall Cussen’s visit in March
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Adjunct Professor Niall Cussen, Chief Executive and Planning Regulator at Ireland’s Office of the Planning Regulator came to visit UCC on March 12-13, 2026.
Niall Cussen is the Chief Executive and Planning Regulator at Ireland’s Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). Niall is also a new Adjunct Professor in the Department of Planning! As part of this new appointment, Niall came to visit UCC on March 12-13, 2026. He provided 2 guest lectures in our 1st year Urban Design and our 2nd year Applied Discourses modules as well as public address entitled, "How Planning IS Working”.
Niall Cussen Biography:
Niall was appointed as the country’s first Planning Regulator, Cussen leads the OPR in overseeing the effective delivery of planning services by Ireland’s 31 local authorities and An Bord Pleanála, ensuring alignment with national and regional policies, and promoting public awareness and research in planning matters. Before his current role, Cussen served as Chief Planner at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government from July 2014, having joined the department in January 2000. His earlier career includes planning positions with Clare, Meath, and Dublin City Councils, as well as with An Bord Pleanála. Cussen holds degrees in economics and geography from Maynooth University, a Master’s in Regional and Urban Planning from University College Dublin, and a diploma in Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. He is a Fellow and former President of the Irish Planning Institute and has been recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Planning, UCC. He is also a proud Cork man!