RTPI Conference: RIBA chief calls for unity

Ben Lee, PlanningResource, 14 July 2008

Sunand Prasad told delegates he had high hopes for the next generation of young planners.

Planners are on the front line and as an architect I need planning to get its act together.

Prasad was speaking during the closing debate at the RTPI’s London convention explaining his vision for the planning industry in 2018.

He told delegates the role of democracy in the planning system had become confused.

I want to see planners ‘plan’ and have democracy embedded in the system. I want the planning profession to become the most important part of the planning and built environment.

The leading architect said the role of architects and planners was more important than ever, he said. There are no other custodians of the long term left - we’ve got to unite in that. 

Robert Hunter, president of the American Planning Association, told the debate he wanted to see the public talking about planning more often and for planners, rather than architects, to take credit for successful schemes.

Head of planning at the Environment Agency, Mark Southgate, said: We are not planning for now, we are planning for the future.