Reflections from an RTPI Scotland intern

Reflections from an intern

As my time at RTPI Scotland comes to an end, I want to offer some reflections on my time as Intern Project Officer.

As I started my one-year City Planning Master’s at the University of Glasgow last September, I was told again and again that planning is a small community, and practically a village in Scotland. This has been my experience working for RTPI Scotland – I’ve been introduced to a wide range of professionals in the built environment, all with their own specialities, outlooks and backgrounds, but all equally as friendly, welcoming and willing to guide a newcomer to the profession.

Shaping planning policy

Meeting these individuals – from Chief Planners to policy officers – has not been by accident. My role at RTPI Scotland has had me actively and regularly engaging with members across Scotland, seeking their thoughts on how the profession should respond to the latest changes and developments in planning policy. Helping craft responses to a range of consultations and calls for views based on these conversations has given me an opportunity to get into the nitty gritty of shaping planning policy in Scotland. A snapshot of what I’ve helped the team respond to includes:

• Scottish Government proposals for using Permitted Development Rights to tackle the housing emergency;
• Historic Environment Scotland’s new long-term strategy for identifying and protecting heritage sites; and
• The Scottish Government’s Draft Environment Strategy, directing how Scotland intends to tackle the many facets of the nature and climate crisis.

Conferences and events

The best place to have these discussions is in person. I’ve played a part in delivering the Scottish Young Planners’ Conference and the RTPI Scotland Annual Conference – both packed days and a fantastic experience for a new planner to hear perspectives from across the field, meet other young planners and pick the brains of those with a little more tenure in the profession.

Looking to Scotland’s planning future

A definite highlight for me has been developing RTPI Scotland’s Planifesto – our statement on the priorities for planners in Scotland and the tools they need from government to deliver.  Consulting RTPI members to shape the Planifesto has given me a unique insight not only into the challenges facing planning in Scotland, but also the opportunities, talent and innovation in the sector. My background in politics made this process particularly interesting. Having worked for elected members before my master’s degree, it was fascinating to ‘be on the other side’ and consider how planners can best engage our future decision-makers and make the profession’s voice heard as we approach the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. The Planifesto will be published on the website on 12 November. 

As my time as intern comes to an end and I look for my next opportunity in planning, a space becomes available for someone else at the start of their journey looking to gain invaluable policy experience, meet inspiring people, and work with the fantastic, friendly team in the RTPI Scotland office. Applications are open until 10 November.