Convention Programme

Wednesday 27th June 2012

This year’s one-day Planning Convention programme is made up of plenaries and special interest sessions. Plenaries are the keynote sessions given by at least two speakers, experts in their field, covering broad issues we believe are relevant to all planners. Special interest sessions enable you to tailor the programme to your particular interests, with a choice of three different topics from high profile speakers in the morning and afternoon.

09:30 – 10.40 Plenary session

Global cities healthcheck
This opening plenary session will cover the urban explosion and the role of cities across the world in addressing climate change, sustainability and economic development.

The endless city – global overview
Professor Ricky Burdett, Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and director of LSE Cities and the Urban Age programme.

10.40 - 11.10 Coffee with the exhibitors

11.10 – 12.10 Special interest sessions

There will be a choice of three sessions in both morning and afternoon time slots, themed around challenges and opportunities for UK cities, major infrastructure projects and working with the government agenda.

• Designing the Legacy
  Andrew Altman, CEO Olympic Legacy Company, previously the City of Philadelphia’s first Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Director of Commerce.
• Working with the new PINS
  Sir Michael Pitt, Chief Executive, The Planning Inspectorate.

12.10 - 13.15 Lunch with the exhibitors

13.15 – 14.25 Plenary session

Planning for growth and community
After the recent significant changes to the UK’s planning systems, this session will focus on the government’s framework for planning and how communities across the country are making it work.

Riots, recession and regeneration – the Croydon strategy
Jon Rouse, CEO London Borough of Croydon and Honorary Member of RTPI

14.30 – 15.30 Special interest sessions

There will be a choice of three sessions in both morning and afternoon time slots, themed around challenges and opportunities for UK cities, major infrastructure projects and working with the government agenda.

• Neighbourhood planning
  Jake Berriman, Head of Local Community Resilience, Shropshire Council
• The new planning agenda in England
• Planning for growth
  David Hill, Chief Executive, Milton Keynes Council

15.30 - 16.00 Afternoon refreshments with exhibitors

16.00 – 17. 15 Plenary session

The outlook for countryside, heritage and the environment
The heated debate around the National Planning Policy Framework demonstrates the importance of our vision for the countryside and our natural environment more generally. Diversity, design and heritage are all key components in achieving a sustainable future

Achieving a commitment to sustainability in an age of austerity

Professor Bob Evans, School of Social Science, University of Waikato

Housing design – where do we go from here?

Piers Gough CBE, Partner, CZWG Architects LLP

17.15 – 18.00 Keynote address

RTPI Shaping the Agenda, followed by Ministerial address.

18.00 - 19.30 Drinks reception