Why infrastructure matters: a timely reflection
Alex Johnson is the 2026 Chair of the RTPI London region and an Associate Infrastructure Planner at WSP.
As the RTPI London today host a CPD event on the implications of the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act, this feels like a timely moment to reflect on the importance of infrastructure and some key policy and legislative changes to the planning system.
I am often asked by colleagues as well as friends and family why I chose a career in town planning; it was even an ice breaker conversation when I first met my partner. Like many planners, my interest began with geography at school, reinforced by hours playing Sim City, Lego building and a matching pairs card game I was given one Christmas with countries and capital cities. But at its core, it comes down to a desire to leave our communities in a better state than how we initially find them.
Planning’s origins
The planning system in England was born out of a public health crisis. The Industrial Revolution triggered rapid, uncontrolled urban expansion, resulting in overcrowded housing, poor sanitation, and limited access to safe drinking water. These conditions led directly to widespread public health issues and ultimately forced government intervention.
Many of these challenges persist today. In my early career as a planning enforcement officer, I visited numerous unregulated Houses in Multiple Occupation across London, some accommodating over 20 residents in unacceptable conditions. At a national scale, the UK last built a reservoir more than 30 years ago, despite repeated calls for significant upgrades to our ageing infrastructure networks.
The overlooked role of infrastructure planning
Five years ago, I moved into infrastructure planning, an often overlooked part of the profession, yet fundamental to a successful economy and a functioning society. Infrastructure underpins economic growth, supports sustainable development through renewable energy, improves quality of life via healthcare, clean water and waste management, and enhances connectivity.
Connectivity itself is evolving. While new roads, ports, and transport links remain vital, digital infrastructure including data centres are now equally critical in the world of AI and IT. It is therefore welcome that data centres can be considered within the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) consenting regime, which should help accelerate delivery to meet future digital demand.
Housing often dominates planning debates, and is an essential component needed to meet current and future demand, but homes alone cannot succeed in isolation. Without the necessary supporting infrastructure, development risks being unsustainable, inequitable, and ultimately unsuccessful.
A moment of change for planning and infrastructure
My theme for this year as Chair of RTPI London is the positive role of infrastructure planning as a force for good in society. History shows us that major challenges require bold responses. Following the Industrial Revolution, we saw the Public Health Act 1848 which established boards to manage sewage, water and refuse. After the Second World War, new towns such as Port Sunlight and Bournville emerged. Today’s housing crisis and infrastructure deficit demand a similarly ambitious and coordinated response.
It genuinely feels like there has never been a better time to work in planning. Our profession is now regularly discussed across news programmes, radio shows, and political podcasts, reflecting its growing importance. This heightened attention coincides with a significant programme of legislative and policy reform.
The Planning and Infrastructure Act, which received Royal Assent in December last year, is a landmark piece of planning legislation. Its intention is to speed up the delivery of Development Consent Order (DCO) projects, with the government committing to the fast approval of 150 DCO applications during the current Parliament. Key changes include the removal of statutory pre-application consultation, faster acceptance and examination stages, and tighter limits on delays arising from legal challenges which should help deliver new infrastructure accordingly.
A more joined-up approach to land use
Last week also saw the publication of England’s first-ever Land Use Framework. This aims to support a more integrated, evidence-led approach to land use, balancing food production, infrastructure delivery, environmental protection, and economic growth. If successful, it could help move debates beyond traditional conflicting arguments, such as agriculture versus renewables, or the environment versus the economy, and provide greater certainty about what development should be located where.
For London specifically, the publication of the London Infrastructure Framework in March was particularly welcome. The framework recognises that despite the delivery of major infrastructure projects such as the Elizabeth Line, Northern Line extension and the introduction of Superloop buses, ageing infrastructure means London risks not fulfilling its potential. Looking ahead to 2050, the framework provides clarity for communities, developers, utility providers and stakeholders on infrastructure priorities and projects in the pipeline for the capital.
In addition, MHCLG’s recent decision to prioritise seven potential new town sites including Thamesmead and Crews Hill within London marks a return to the post-war new towns model of sites such as Harlow, Basildon and most famous of all Milton Keynes. These sites will play a crucial role in meeting the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament.
Conclusion
Infrastructure is not simply about pipes, power lines, roads, or data centres. It represents a key enabler social between the state and its citizens, a commitment to health, opportunity, resilience, and fairness. Planning has always stepped forward during moments of national challenge, and today is no different.
With sweeping legislative and policy reform, renewed strategic thinking, and growing public attention, we have an opportunity to reassert the value of infrastructure planning as a positive force for society. If we rise to that challenge, we can once again leave our communities stronger, healthier, and more connected than we found them.
