Improve current practice

The RTPI will undertake an evaluation of policies such as the ‘Merton Rule’ at the regional and local level, to develop a good practice tool-kit of effective spatial planning practices which address climate change imperatives. Spatial planners have been innovating to develop new, climate-responsive policies and practices, but planners look to the RTPI to help them identify what works best.

We will also develop a tool-kit of tests, enabling the climate change proofing of regional and local plans and policies. Plans can contain innovative climate change responsive policies, but due to the effects of other policies and proposals, still produce poor climate change outcomes. Various tests have been developed to audit and climate-proof policies: spatial planners need to know what works best.

We will seek partners in government departments and agencies, and universities engaged in research to identify, evaluate and disseminate the best of this innovation, supporting innovative climate impact reducing policies and climate proofed plans, whilst further clarifying and simplifying the relationships between building design, building control and spatial planning on these issues. 

Action plan summary

Phase 1: Project scoping / liaison with partners

• Form project management group
• Identify sources of and approaches to carbon/energy objectives targets relevant to plan making and development management
• Identify initial portfolio of techniques and tools from GA consultation response
• Characterise by function (plan making/development management)
• Discuss scope with CLG/DECC/Nations governments and relevant agencies

Phase 2: Identify key issues - frame brief and research questions

• Develop research brief
• Examine delivery options/costs
• Identify key research targets – sourcing techniques and tools and means of evaluation

Phase 3: Project development / liaison with partners

• Develop funding relationships
• Develop knowledge relationships

Phase 4: Project inception

• Finalise brief
• Appoint delivery body/partnership

Phase 5: Project delivery

• Delivery body in partnership with project management group
• Carry out formal call for evidence (including use of Networks)
• Develop and test evaluation criteria
• Document plan making techniques and tools

Phase 6: Road testing

• Present draft recommended evaluation criteria, techniques and tools – seek views
• Canvass draft recommendations with members focus groups – seek views
• Refine and finalise recommendations with project management group

Phase 7: Launch/publication/dissemination/campaign

• Via Commitment 6.

Phase 8: Monitor/review

Outcomes

1. Link to Commitment 1 – behavioural change is achieved using planning community engagement as a means to build commitments to action from key stakeholders and in communities. Identify and campaign for positive behaviours.

2. Link to Commitment 2 – Policy and practice changes support the adaptation of existing places. Identify and campaign for positive reforms and behaviours.

3. Link to Commitment 3 – legislative and regulatory change is achieved to incentivise positive management of existing stock. Identify and campaign for positive reforms.

4. Identify, evaluate and promote tools and techniques for climate change proofing of regional and local plans and policies. 

Interested?

This page will be updated as the project develops. There are a number of opportunities to become involved with the RTPI in designing and delivering this project. For more information please click here to email the RTPI policy team. 

• Click here to return to the seven commitments home page. 

Author:

Rebecca Coates

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

17-Jun-09

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