It did not start out with any intent but along the way I have received international awards, awards judging experience, international broadcasting, speech writing and graphic skills and more.
Why did you decide to volunteer with the RTPI?
In 1974, the RTPI organising group in London benefitted from a snowy haired character called Arthur Bryant. He was much older than the rest of us but always helpful. Now I seem to be the Arthur Bryant (but not so snowy haired).
More generally, I seem to have round a nice organising quirky, zero cost, low tech, flexible events. A guided walk on Dystopian Bloomsbury was run with neighbouring regions joining in, plus a number of former colleagues attracted from decades back.
What achievement are you most proud of from your volunteering with the RTPI?
We are now at 75 years of World Town Planning Day, founded in Argentina in 1949. Fifteen years ago, with kind support from the Institute, Fosters Architects and others, I organised London commemorations with global South contributions. I still keep in touch with the family of the founder, Carlos Maria Della Paolera. I have engagement events shaping up for later this year.
My career has had a lot of transport infrastructure links, latterly international railways. July 18th will be 50 years to the day since I helped showcase for London members completion of Camden’s award winning Regent’s Canal towpath walk. In a few weeks we will be retracing it, taking in the transformations in technology and biomedical science. I have led walks and write on a Pied Piper theme exploring public and environmental health outsourcing and some of the lessons from seven centuries ago! King’s Cross is surprisingly rich in links.
In 2016 the Institute in Botolph’s Lane was splendidly positioned for the 350th anniversary of London’s Great Fire of 1666. We were able to explore post fire planning and rebuilding in the heart of the City.
‘Comedy, yes, but a bit funny’ is another theme explored in article and talks, often with other institutes and universities. ‘Laughter in the landscape’ is a walk that open Arts and Literary Festivals. Maybe we will offer members a summer guided walk in Clerkenwell. In Institute once considered relocating almost on top of the Clerk’s Well where medieval plays were once staged.
What have you gained from volunteering at the RTPI?
It did not start out with any intent but along the way I have received some international awards, a Visiting Professorship and other academic appointments, professional recognition from other Institutes, international conference leading, and exchange appoints, awards judging experience, international broadcasting, speech writing and graphic skills.
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering at the RTPI?
Look out for and carry on being welcome to us Arthur Bryant's. I do hope other members discover their own avenues to explore.