The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has opened an invitation to tender for a research project exploring how citizens’ assemblies can be used within the formal planning process.

The project will produce practical guidance for planners working in UK local planning authorities, helping them understand when, when not and how to use citizens’ assemblies to involve communities in decisions requiring difficult trade-offs.

The work is expected to focus on contested areas of planning policy, such as new housing or low-carbon energy infrastructure. The successful team will work with the RTPI to determine the project’s focus.

Citizens’ assemblies bring together a broadly representative group of people to learn about an issue, consider evidence from different perspectives and deliberate before reaching conclusions or recommendations. Evidence from the UK and internationally shows that, when designed and used well, they can strengthen the legitimacy of decisions, widen participation and build public trust.

Their use within the UK planning system has so far been limited. Through this commission, the RTPI aims to bridge the gap between expertise in deliberative democracy and day-to-day planning practice.

The project forms part of the RTPI’s wider commitment to helping planners engage communities more effectively. Citizens’ assemblies can reach beyond the “usual voices” often heard in consultation by using representative selection methods and paying participants, helping remove barriers to involvement.

The commission will be delivered in two phases. The first will review existing research and case studies, with report due in October 2026. The second will develop accessible practice guidance for local authority planners, scheduled for publication in April 2027.

The project has been approved as a priority under the RTPI Research Strategy 2026–2028.

Tender submissions must be received by 23:59 (UK time) Friday 17 July 2026. Further details are available here.