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A digital planning lighthouse

Things are moving fast with digital technologies and the capabilities of AI. We also know that the digital systems underpinning the Scottish planning system need ongoing investment and development to keep them up to date.

We’re in an era of digital innovation and rapid change – with lots of discussions about the potential of new tools within planning systems and various initiatives seeking to develop, pilot and test those new tools in the private and the public sectors. Whilst things are moving so quickly, there is a significant risk that some organisations will be left behind.

Looking into the future, what if there was a focal point for digital planning innovation in Scotland – a digital planning lighthouse? The Lighthouse could:

  • Make digital planning initiatives visible to practitioners and the public;
  • Disseminate news and information about national developments in digital planning from PARD and the key agencies;
  • Shine a light on the work of the Improvement Service which has been supporting local authorities with dashboards, data standardisation and advice on secondary data proxies;
  • Provide a bridge between Scottish Government digital efforts, the Improvement Service, HOPS and other stakeholders to help coordination and collaboration;
  • Collate and share information about digital planning innovation in the private sector;
  • Convene knowledge exchange between local authorities and act as a safe space for discussions about the ups and downs of digital planning issues in practice;
  • Publish case studies and best practice guidance to local authorities and private sector planners.

Finally, what if the Digital Planning Lighthouse did more than just gather, collate and share information? What if it also had funding for digital planning innovation that it could distribute to local authorities or other stakeholders. What if it could target those resources to organisations in danger of missing out? There have been some interesting offers around digital planning tools in the past and the Lighthouse could coordinate a digital planning innovation fund across Scotland. 

What do you think? Would this be a good way to shine a light on digital planning improvements and good practice?

Email us your thoughts - scotland@rtpi.org.uk.