With over 27,000 members worldwide, we support planners at every stage of their career: raising professional standards, shaping planning policy, and proudly awarding chartered status, the highest professional accreditation in UK planning.

For over a century, we have empowered planners to deliver positive impact: creating healthy, inclusive, economically and environmentally sustainable places. As the voice of the profession, we advocate, support, and lead with purpose, professionalism, and passion.

We are responsible for maintaining professional standards and accrediting world class planning courses both in the UK and internationally. We have offices in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff. The Town Planning Institute was founded in 1914. In 1970 a supplemental Royal Charter was granted, and the Institute became the Royal Town Planning Institute.

We are the voice of the profession. We engage with governments, experts, advocates  and international bodies to promote good planning, lead on policy development and research, and promote planning in the long-term public interest. We support our members to deliver outstanding placemaking that creates inclusive, healthy, prosperous, sustainable and happy communities.   

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive profession and we have a dedicated action plan setting out how we will achieve this. We are also committed to advancing the art and science of planning. Through our strategic plan we work for the long-term common good and wellbeing of current and future generations.

Throughout the year we offer a comprehensive programme of events and training for our members as well as an awards programme. We promote an ethos of lifelong learning and continuing professional development. We ensure that the planning profession is exemplary, upholding the highest ethics and professional standards.

We also support young people looking for pathways into the profession through apprenticeships and RTPI accredited university courses as well as actively engaging with students and teachers.

Additionally, we fund Planning Aid England, a service that provides planning advice and support to help individuals and communities engage with the planning system.