Local plans publications

A Map for England
(2012) RTPI
Research report examining a broad range of existing government policies and how they relate to each other. It found large numbers of policies and programmes have a strong spatial aspect to them. By overlaying a number of these maps and diagrams together, the researchers demonstrated that some policies and programmes, when considered against each other in relation to different parts of the country, may have unintended consequences. A compendium of policies in map form is also available.

Measuring the Outcomes of Spatial Planning in England
(2008) RTPI and CLG
Research was undertaken to explore how indicators can be used to assess and improve the contribution of spatial planning to the delivery of sustainable development. Makes recommendations for the use and on-going development and review of the outcome indicators framework.

Shaping and Delivering Tomorrows Places: Effective Practice in Spatial Planning
(2007) RTPI, CLG, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and GLA
The project examined how spatial planning is being delivered. The focus was on the outcomes of planning for places rather than the processes involved in preparing spatial plans. The project found there is an evolving understanding of what spatial planning means in practice. An executive summary is also available.

Uniting Britain: The Evidence Base Spatial Structures and Key Drivers
(2006) RTPI
Explores existing data sources and mapping techniques to assess what could be used to draw up a UK spatial planning framework. It demonstrates in practical terms just how much benefit governments, policy makers and decision makers would gain from the systematic ordering of broad scale data about the UK to answer 'hard questions' on a spatial base.

The UK Spatial Planning Framework: A Discussion
(2000) RTPI
Investigates the desirability and practicability of establishing a UK-wide National Spatial Planning Framework (UK-SPF). The aim is to test the feasibility of this proposition, focusing on is there a need? and how would it work?