The RTPI celebrates 60 years of its Royal Charter

Sixty years ago today, the Town Planning Institute (as it was then known) received its Royal Charter, a special mark of distinction limited to bodies pre-eminent in their field.

A Charter is a declaration to the public that the Institute is sound and well established, its members have a high level of up-to-date qualifications and experience, and that their conduct and activities are suitably monitored.

RTPI President Ian Tant said: “Incorporation by Charter is a prestigious way of acquiring legal personality and undoubtedly reflects the high status of the organisation. The Charter also allowed its members to call themselves Chartered Town Planners. This is so important - it’s undoubtedly been a badge of merit for me throughout the 37 years since I gained my MRTPI.”

It was a culmination of twelve years of petitioning, and several rejections before the Privy Council granted the Institute its Charter. The then President, U. Aylmer Coates announced it in the July-August 1959 issue of the Journal of the Town Planning Institute.

Look out for a series of blogs and posts highlighting the way the institute has changed over the years and what it means to members to be a Chartered Town Planner, marking this anniversary.