Scotland in the 21st Century faces serious challenges and, rightly, has ambitious aspirations. How do we solve the housing crisis? How do we keep Scotland open for business and deliver inclusive growth? How do we tackle climate change? How do we protect our most valued towns, cities and landscapes?
Facing these challenges and fulfilling these ambitions is complex. Planners are trained and experienced in looking at the big picture. Working with all interests, we have the skills to agree a vision and deliver it.
We think these challenges can be overcome by #planningahead.
We have highlighted six examples from across Scotland which show how planning is working with communities and other professions to overcome the challenges that Scotland faces. But, we believe that we need to make it easier for planners to deliver these successes. This means making sure that the Planning Bill, and changes to policy and guidance that follow it, help to reposition the planning system.
Highlighted here are just six examples; we know that there are many more out there. Share your #planningahead success stories on Twitter: @RTPIScotland.
Good infrastructure planning can accomplish more than just blue ribbon projects – it helps to make the most of the surrounding opportunities that these projects create. Because planners are trained to think about the bigger picture – the economic, environmental and social challenges which places face – they can help ensure that new infrastructure is well integrated and helps to support sustainable development.
Planning has always served as a way of protecting Scotland's favourite places. In 2000, the National Parks were introduced to conserve some of Scotland's most special landscapes and to ensure such places can thrive for locals and visitors alike for many years to come. Scotland has many rural communities, a diverse rural economy, and a vibrant rural tourist industry, so it is important that planning protects these interests by providing proportionate responses to development proposals. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority
The places where people live and work have a direct impact on them, with access to jobs, green space, public transport and amenities like shops and healthcare all affecting their opportunities and outcomes. Good planning works with other sectors to make sure that new homes are provided alongside such services, sowing the seeds for new communities to flourish. Planning helps to meet the demand for a variety of new housing types whilst providing for the needs of residents. Crown Street, Glasgow
Planning helps to improve Scotland's natural environments. A healthy environment adds value to places, attracting businesses and improving social and economic outcomes for residents and visitors. Planning can shape the impact which development has on the environment and help to mitigate against issues such as flooding and air pollution. It can also promote ways of working which actively improve the environment in which people in Scotland live, work and play. Central Scotland Green Network
We all care about our places and it is only right that we should all have a say in how they change and evolve. Local knowledge goes a long way in strengthening the best in places, as well as in identifying and overcoming their weaknesses. In recent times planning has made great progress in moving towards a culture of participation and co-production, but we recognise that the planning system needs to do more to respond to the experience and knowledge of communities. Collaboration is at the heart of what planners do, meaning that we have the skillset to facilitate people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in decision making. Getting this right will result in better decisions and better places which are more sustainable. X-Route: Co-designing Active Travel
Planning is essential for good environmental management. Seeing places in the round, planners are able to help establish how different groups of people and different interests can work together with their environment for balanced and sustainable outcomes. Identifying possible environmental threats and conflicts between different interest groups early on can help to ensure that these are resolved in early planning stages. Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan