'Shaping our future – healthy places and happy people'
24 September 2025 - Perth
RTPI Scotland holds an annual conference which looks at topical issues in planning. This year’s RTPI Scotland Annual Conference will be held at Perth Theatre, Perth, on September 24.
Please note that booking is now closed
Conference Theme
'Shaping our future – Healthy Places and Happy People'
This conference will explore how to deliver resilient and sustainable communities for the health of people, place and planet. The day's events will include a variety of speakers and sessions, including walking tours, workshops and case studies.
Programme
Registration, coffee and networking (09:30)
Session 1 (10:00 - 10:45)
Welcome and introduction - Laura Robertson, Convenor RTPI Scotland
Keynote Speaker: Professor Jenny Roe, Director of the Centre for Design & Health in the School of Architecture, University of Virginia
Session 2 (10:45 - 11:30)
Planning for Healthy Places – chaired by Irene Beautyman
With -
Meadhbh Maguire, The Highland Council
Rowena Statt, Anderson Bell Christie
Margaret Douglas, Public Health Scotland
Coffee and refreshments (11:30 - 11:50)
Session 3 (11:50 - 12:35)
Happy Planners – chaired by Maura McCormack
With -
Craig McLaren and Susan Rintoul, National Planning Improvement
Elaine Campbell, City of Edinburgh Council
Rim Chouaib and Kevin Murray, Kevin Murray Associates
Session 4 (12:35 - 13:35)
Workshops and walking tours – sketching, digital planning and central Perth.
Digital Planning Workshop with
Alex MacLaren, Heriot-Watt University
Aline Kirkland and Tom Janes, Improvement Service
Sketching Workshop with
Willie Watt, RIAS – aka The Architects Sketchbook who is a conservation architect and director at Nicoll Russell Studios and a Past President of the RIAS will lead a walk, talk and draw workshop
Participants will need to bring a ballpoint pen and A5 sketchbook
Walking tours of central Perth led by staff from Perth & Kinross Council
Tour 1 and Tour 2
A walking tour delivered by planning staff from Perth and Kinross Council, these will showcase the evolving nature of the central area of Perth and how it has adapted to both planned and unplanned change across the years.
Highlights will take in public spaces, both hard and soft or green and blue; new and historic buildings, some adapted to uses reflective of the changing needs of society and bringing new vibrancy to urban spaces.
There will also be opportunities to reflect on the city's history and links to Planning through Sir Patrick Geddes.
Lunch and networking (13:35-14:30)
Session 5 (14:30 - 15:30)
Healthy Planet – planning for Net Zero – chaired by John Cooney
With -
Jonathan McQuillan, Anderson Bell Christie
Pelin Ekdi, Anderson Bell Christie
Husam Al-Waer, University of Dundee
Session 6 (15:30 - 16:00)
Closing Remarks
Laura Robertson, Convenor RTPI Scotland, will close the conference in conversation with some key figures from the profession