Spatial practice on event agenda

Planning, 11 July 2008

More is going on at the 2008 Planning Convention this week at London's Queen Elizabeth II Centre than in any previous year. The range of study tours has been extended, taking in everything from the London rail service to the River Thames and the redevelopment of the South Bank. There are also more workshops and fringe events.

These are spread throughout the convention and linked more directly to the plenary sessions to allow greater debate, but still cover the same breadth of interests. Planning is explored at all levels during the convention, from a global perspective to delivery at a local level, learning both from success and issues that have had to be overcome.

In keeping with RTPI president Janet O'Neill's theme of lifelong learning, there will be a particular focus on education and skills and their role in supporting good spatial planning practice.

Notably, the convention sees the launch of the institute's planning and research network. Its goal is to highlight current and proposed research, disseminate findings, promote the examination of planning theory against practice and explore methods of education and knowledge development. It will aim to develop international communication in research and educational activity as well as offering a sounding board for future thinking.

Good planning practice is strongly featured, not least in an exhibition including award-winning projects nominated by the RTPI branches, regions and nations, networks and Planning Aid England.

This will be linked with a lunchtime event when former DCLG chief planner and chairman of the RTPI national awards judges panel Mike Ash will draw on his experience to describe examples of good practice and what it means. The issue of what constitutes good spatial planning, what prevents it happening more widely and how it can be supported is also taken up by the plenary speakers, including DCLG chief planner-designate Steve Quartermain, just before he assumes his new role.

Many of the workshops and fringe events also look at how to improve practice. Canterbury City Council is hosting a workshop on putting vision into practice. The Planning Advisory Service is leading another about how planners should use the proposed community infrastructure levy alongside section 106 agreements to help deliver affordable housing. The Planning Inspectorate will host a breakfast presentation to demonstrate its new fast-track householder appeals service.

Key issues of concern to the profession are also to be debated. The subject for the rural planning network is whether the green belt represents a sustainable future or planning history, while CABE and the urban design network will be looking at quality issues in housing design. The Planning Officers Society has chosen to put member and officer relationships in the frame.

For anyone who could not make it to the convention this year, there will be another opportunity to get a flavour of the programme. The plenary speeches will be available shortly to download as podcasts and reports of the workshops will be posted on the RTPI website. In the meantime, make sure that the date of next year's convention is noted in your diaries - 17-19 June 2009. I hope to see you there.

- Debbie Sorkin is RTPI programmes and services director. For more information on the convention proceedings, please visit www.rtpi.org.uk.