This wondrous blue planet of ours is continually rotating, changing and careering through space in cyclical loops. Sometimes planning policy feels as though it might be doing the same thing. The place shaping agenda is now at the forefront of planning policy whilst Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s mantra is about meeting the economic impacts of globalisation. Planners are left in the middle to provide for economic imperatives, such as housing, alongside the massive social and economic costs of mitigating the impacts of climate change and creating communities that will endure. Suddenly ours is the generation of planners charged with nursing what would seem an increasingly fragile world.
The Royal Town Planning Institute’s 2008 Planning Convention, ‘Changing Places: Changing World’, is deliberately aimed at tackling these seemingly disparate agendas. The Convention aims to marry the effects of globalisation with the emergence of the role of place-shaping at the neighbourhood level. It will help to identify where these forces are at work and provide the knowledge and practical tools to tackle them, through a mixture of plenary sessions and workshops.
As the Planning Bill has just finished in Committee, the RTPI has been involved with consultation on proposals for an independent commission for major infrastructure projects; on the introduction of a plan-based tariff for infrastructure; and on the empowerment of communities through real and effective consultation and engagement. By the time of the Convention, we are likely also to be discussing the Government’s commitment to building three million new homes and changes to permitted development rights. The role of Green Belts, which will be the subject of a Convention lunchtime event hosted by the RTPI Rural Planning Network, will also be on the agenda.
The RTPI is committed to providing knowledge and insight for our members. However, we are also looking to extend the reach of the Planning Convention. The spatial planning agenda is concerned with recognising the role of planning and planners across the private and voluntary sectors as well as within public services such as education, health and housing. I hope this year sees the attendance of local authority chief executives, who are fundamental to providing leadership in the implementation of spatial planning. These new agendas are based on partnership working and understanding other professions and skills. Integrated working is the key to successful planning.
The lighter side of the Planning Convention includes informal fringe events and networking opportunities. One of the pleasures of the event is catching up with friends and extending networks of colleagues. For the first time, a dedicated quiet business area will be established to allow you to keep in touch with ongoing work. We are keen to facilitate opportunities to visit the exhibition alongside space to relax and catch up with business.
The 2008 Planning Convention is the single most important event in the planning calendar. July 9 to 11 needs to be added to your diary now. Don’t miss out!! Everyone working in the area of the built and natural environment needs to engage with planning and in working together to tackle the major issues we face.
Janet O’Neill, President, RTPI
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