Jenny Munro is Policy, Practice and Research Officer at the RTPI
A change is as good as a holiday – or so we’re told. And RTPI Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of change in recent times.
As an Institute, we have said a fond farewell to, and also welcomed, a number of team members over the last couple of years. We have explored new ways of working with a new designer and refreshed look for the Scottish Planner. And we have made the big decision to change where we call home, recently moving out of 18 Atholl Crescent into our new office at 121 George Street.
The entrance to the new office
Our new home at 121 George Street
As a profession, change is something we are all grappling with as we continue to navigate our way through a reformed planning system in Scotland amid the climate, nature and housing emergencies. Further change could well be on the horizon with the 2026 Scottish Elections. RTPI Scotland is gearing up to face this head on with the development of our Scottish Planifesto to ensure that the next Government has a clear picture of what is needed to support and strengthen the planning profession in Scotland.
All the above sets the scene for Issue 200 of the RTPI Scottish Planner.
The first edition of the Scottish Planner
The 200th edition of the Scottish Planner
I can’t lie – I have had my eye on this Issue since I joined the RTPI Scotland team in May 2023. From my first Scottish Planner (Issue 193 in July 2023) I was counting my way up through the 190s calculating when we were going to hit that milestone. The opportunity to do something special was too obvious to pass up.
We wanted to put Issue 200 to work. To reflect on where we’ve come from as an Institute and as a profession since the first issue 37 years ago in 1988. To acknowledge past, present and future challenges, but to also highlight and celebrate the progress made, achievements won and milestones reached in the face of these challenges by our talented members, colleagues and placemaking partners. In addition, we wanted the issue to look to the future of the profession, spotlighting our young planners and Scottish planning schools.
Celebrating 20 years of the Scotland Young Planners' Network at a 2023 parliamentary reception
Above all, we wanted this issue to act as a valuable record of all that I’ve mentioned above for future generations; to allow the planners of 2062, 2099 and onwards to look back on our aspirations in the year 2025 and to ask themselves – where are we now and what still needs to be done?
I believe Issue 200 of the Scottish Planner has worked hard to do all this and more. But don’t take my word for it – have a look and judge for yourself.
