Integrated projects undertaken within the RTPI Policy and Research Directorate and with partners aim to focus the evidence and expertise emerging from spatial planning research and knowledge, bringing these to bear on the agendas formed by current an emerging debates on planning policy and practice. †They aim to produce products that can readily be communicated, to influence policy and practice and to inform wider public understanding of spatial planning.

CURRENT PROJECTS

• The United Kingdom Spatial Planning Framework (UKSPF)
  The RTPI has long highlighted the absence of clear spatial direction for the UK as a whole and for England within the UK. Work has been carried out under Prof Celia Wong (University of Manchester) which highlights the likely scope, benefits and comparative ease of preparing a wide ranging framework, informing decision makers of the major spatial challenges faced by the UK. †This work has been used extensively with government throughout 2006.†
  
  
• Effective Practice in Spatial Planning (EPiSP)
  The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced fundamental changes to the planning system in England and Wales. Two years after its enactment, to what extent are the objectives of the Act, spatial planning and culture change being achieved in practice? The RTPI has partnered with DCLG, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the GLA to find out.†The Effective Practice in Spatial Planning Project (EPiSP) project team including Prof Janice Morphet, UCL and Deliottes has been investigating and will report in 2007.
  
  
• Housing an Ageing Population
  An RTPI research project in partnership with Department of Health Housing Learning and Improvement Network will culminate in the production of new good practice guidance.
  
  
• Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Communities
  RTPI has worked closely with Planning Aid, DCLG and the Planning Advisory Service to develop advice for planners working with Gypsy and Traveller communities. Good Practice Note 4 was launched at an RTPI conference on 1 March 2007, addressed by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Meg Munn, RTPI President Jim Claydon and Lord Avebury.
  
  
• Gender Involvement and Spatial Planning
  This RTPI project aims to reduce gender inequalities in spatial planning processes and decision outcomes. It will result in new good practice advice to members in due course.
  
  
• Community Planning.net
  Growing numbers of residents are getting involved with professionals in shaping their local environment. This website, produced in partnership between the RTPI, Academy for Sustainable Communities and DCLG is an excellent starting point for everyone concerned. It provides easily accessible how-to-do-it best practice information of international scope and relevance and enjoys a wide readership well beyond the UK and Ireland.
  
  
• Planning Together: Local Strategic Partnerships and Spatial Planning
  The†RTPI has been commissioned to produce a Government guide addressing collaboration and joint working between Local Strategic Partnerships and the new spatial planning system. This has now been launched as DCLG guidance. †Other outputs from this work can be seen on Community Planning.net. †
  
  
• The Planning Pack
  RTPI has partnered with Planning Aid and Urban Forum to produce a detailed and a handy users' guide to the English Planning System for use by community groups and a more detailed information pack for those who need the background.
  
  
• Future Planners Report
  Whilst not a full funding partner, RTPI has worked closely with CPRE, Demos, RICS and English Partnerships to deliver the Future Planners report. †This uses a broad range of material obtained from case studies and interviews to examine the future of professional practice for planners. †The report sets out a number of options for change to stimulate debate. †Whilst the RTPI does not support all of the proposed options as a matter of policy, the report is a welcome contribution to a very necessary public discussion about the legitimacy and future role of out profession. The report can be downloaded from the Demos website, which also provides an opportunity to participate in an online discussion about the ideas it contains.

SELECTING NEW PROJECTS

The RTPI's combined policy and research priorities are used to prioritise the subject matters for new integrated projects, which are typically then discussed through relevant policy fora, the General Assembly, the Research and Knowledge and the Planning Policy and Practice Committees.

Author:

Rynd Smith

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

04-Jan-07

Categories:

Policy, Practice 

Sections:

What Planning Does

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