Planning for climate change: Planning Convention 2009 report

16-Jun-09

More than 600 participants, from across the UK and abroad, attended the successful RTPI Planning Convention 2009, in London on June 17-19, to discuss "Planning in a Changing Climate".

John Healey MP, Minister for Housing

The new Housing and Planning Minister John Healey MP (reponsible for Planning, Climate change and sustainable development) made his public debut, using his keynote address to jointly launch the Planning to live with Climate Change initiative, with RTPI President Martin Willey.

Thursday 18th June
10.10am - Welcome and introduction by the President of the RTPI, Martin Willey

Click to view Martin Willey's presentation (please be patient while this large file downloads)

10.10am - Planning in a changing environmental climate: plenary
Speakers
Professor Susan Owens (Professor of Environment and Policy and Fellow, Newnham College, University of Cambridge)
Dr Naison Mutizwa-Mangiza (UN Habitat Chief of Policy Analysis Division, United Nations Habitat Settlement Programme)

11.00am - Ministerial Address
Rt Hon John Healey MP – Minister for Housing and Planning

Highlights (you will need to log into the "Planning" website to read this content, using your RTPI membership number)
Listen to the Ministerial Address (downloadable and streamed audio)

11.50am - Planning in a changing environmental climate: break out sessions
- click workshop title for a session summary

Session 1: Role and relevance of environmental assessment in a changing regulatory environment
Session 2: The natural environment in a changing climate
Session 3: Climate change – the implications for planning
Session 4: Minerals, nature and people – solutions for the natural environment in a changing climate
Session 5: Sustainable cities
Session 16: Strategic Infrastructure Assessments

2.15pm - Planning in a changing economic climate: plenary
Speakers
Nick Winser (Executive Director, National Grid)
Gillian Tett (Assistant Editor, Financial Times)

Click to view Nick Winser's presentation

3.50pm Planning in a changing economic climate: break out sessions
– click workshop title for a session summary

Session 6: Managing development
Session 7: Viability and affordability – attainable for housing development in 2009?
Session 8: Infrastructure Planning Commission implementation
Session 9: Delivering quality places through the Core Strategy and S106 agreements
Session 10: How to harness planning to meet the challenge of climate change
Session 17: Recession and economic recovery: a planning survival kit

5.05pm - Planning to Live with Climate Change

Overview by the President, Martin Willey (best viewed as a slide show - please be patient while this four megabyte file downloads)
Launch document (please be patient while this one megabyte file downloads)
Action plan
Video of the launch of 'Planning to Live with Climate Change'

Back to top

Friday 18th June

10.10am - Planning in a changing social climate: plenary
Speakers
Professor Tony Crook (Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Sheffield and Chair, Shelter)
Paul Spooner (Regional Director – West Midlands, Homes and Communities Agency)

Click to view Paul Spooner's presentation

11.40am - Planning in a changing social climate: break out sessions
- click workshop title for a session summary

Session 11: Spatial planning and health
Session 12: Can small towns be more sustainable than larger cities and conurbations?
Session 13: Does recession mean “sellout”? – maintaining quality in a cold climate
Session 14: The World Urban Campaign: how can planners manage the challenge of sustainable urbanisation
Session 15: Help, a nuclear power station is coming our way! – effective community engagement
Session 18: Planning in a changing climate: the 21st Century appeals system

2.00pm - Young Planners Network Presentation
Introduction by Charlie Collins
Speakers
Jamie Birtles, AECOM and Laura Smith, The Landscape Partnership

Click to view Jamie and Laura's presentation (please be patient while this large file downloads)

2.20pm - Planning in a changing political climate: plenary
Moderator – Professor Kevin Murray, Kevin Murray Associates
Speakers
Lord Richard Best OBE (President of the Local Government Association)
David Aaronovich (Author, Broadcaster and Journalist)
Marni Cappe (Vice President, Canadian Institute of Planners)
Bob Neill MP (Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government)

The motion for debate was "This house believes that it is politicians, rather than planners, who should have the lead responsibility in shaping places for the 21st century". The motion was not carried.