Too often, we can get lost in the weeds of our work. It can be easy to forget the purpose of what we’re trying to achieve. Coming together as professionals with a single purpose can be a helpful reminder of why we started along our chosen paths in the first place.

Joining nearly 400 planners, policymakers, housebuilders, government representatives and technologists at this year’s National Planning Conference was a helpful reminder. It was a demonstration of how planning is fundamentally about more than policies and processes – it’s about people, places and purpose.

We heard from the chief planners of England, Wales and Scotland, who offered honest reflections on reform and what’s next across the nations. The conversation on AI and digitisation really captured the imagination, with Amir Hussain from Yeme Tech, Surabhi Deshpande from Terraquest, and Joshua Singh from Sandwell Council explaining how artificial intelligence is reshaping planning decisions.

I was pleased to speak with Dame Judith Hackitt about what needs to change in the construction industry and the key challenges it faces. The new towns panel was another highlight, drawing lessons from the post-war pioneers while looking boldly to the future.

Returning to London, we are swiftly brought back into the world of Westminster. With Parliament now officially back in full swing, our public affairs team continues to engage on key legislation shaping our future – the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Both contain measures that are set to restructure England’s planning system as we know it.

To find out more, I recommend reading our Senior Public Affairs Officer, Aisling Byrne’s, latest blog, Bills, Bills, Bills.

The return of MPs to Westminster following summer recess means that World Town Planning Day must soon be around the corner. This year, the RTPI is set to launch what may well be its largest public awareness campaign to date.

While little detail is yet to be revealed, we are asking that you and your organisation save the date on your social media calendars for 8 November to help support our campaign. Members should keep an eye on their inboxes in the coming weeks for more information.

Finally, if you’re feeling inspired and want to do your part in championing planning, we are asking members to go out to and inspire the next generation of planners through our recently updated Ambassador programme.

Visiting schools and showing young people how planning affects their daily lives is one of the most rewarding ways to give back. If you’re interested, I hope you’ll take a look at our full ambassadors’ toolkit to find out more.