The 2016 independent review of the planning system, ‘Empowering Planning to Deliver Great Places’, found that legislation alone cannot enable planning to realise its potential to deliver great places but requires behavioural change from all those with a role and interest in the planning system, including the built environment. The role of digital transformation was noted as a key enabler.
While digital technology has been a feature of planning for many decades, over recent years there has been a recognition that greater value could be achieved by adopting a step-change in its application for a ‘forward-looking planning system of the future’. In November 2020, the Scottish Government launched a new digital strategy for planning in Scotland – Transforming Places Together: Digital Strategy for Planning.
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) on behalf of the Scottish Government is seeking to “examine the operating environment to embed digital planning in Scotland”. This work forms an important element of the strategy for delivering the Scottish Government’s strategy for digital public services in Scotland.
EKOS, a Glasgow based economic and social research consultancy, has been commissioned to undertake research to support the process. The study includes an online survey with people that are active in, or that work with, the current Planning system in Scotland. We would be grateful if you could accommodate the survey within your busy schedule.
Access the survey here
Please note that all responses are confidential – survey feedback will be held by EKOS in their dedicated survey website. Details of individual responses will not be shared with RTPI, Scottish Government or other third party and all responses will be anonymised and presented in a manner that does not identify specific individuals or organisations. The survey should take you around 20 minutes to complete – questions are mostly tick box choices, with the option to add additional detail if you wish.
As a thank you to those that complete we are offering a prize draw for two randomly selected respondents who will each win a £50 voucher for the soon-to-be launched Scotland Loves Local gift card to spend in their nearest local participating town or city. Supported by Scottish Government, the scheme is led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership in conjunction with operating partner Miconex.
We are seeking input from as many people as possible that are involved in/ with the Scottish planning system. We would therefore be grateful if you could forward this survey link to other colleagues and encourage them to respond. Please contact Ollie Charlton at RTPI with any queries, [email protected].
Note, the survey focuses only on the ICT and digital technology skills which are broadly defined as those needed to use digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information, innovate and communicate with stakeholders. It does not relate to the wider ICT or digital literacy such as use of Microsoft Office for daily tasks.
