Industry's hot topics set to fire up convention schedule

Planning, 29 May 2009

A speech by planning and housing minister Margaret Beckett on 18 June sets the high-profile tone of this year's Planning Convention. She will be among those at the launch of the RTPI's Planning to Live with Climate Change initiative.

The following day, Conservative shadow planning minister Bob Neill will take part in an open debate at which we hope to receive an insight into his party's strategies for planning should it be elected.

Meanwhile, DCLG chief planner Steve Quartermain has asked colleagues to join him for an open question session at lunchtime on 19 June. The event will also see the launch of CABE's policy on sustainable cities and of the Commission for Rural Communities' rural prospectus following the Taylor review.

The plenary sessions will be led by experts in their fields. University of Cambridge professor Susan Owens will reflect on ways in which the planning system has engaged with environmental change and how policy has contributed to sustainability. National Grid director Nick Winser will explain matters concerning national energy security, while Homes and Communities Agency director Paul Spooner will talk about its emerging programme.

Key speakers include UN-Habitat policy analysis chief Dr Naison Mutizwa Mangiza, author, broadcaster and journalist David Aaronovitch, Canadian Institute of Planners vice-president Marni Cappe, Labour peer Lord Richard Best, planning consultant Kevin Murray and Financial Times assistant editor Gillian Tett.

An exciting range of workshops will focus on delivering high-quality large developments, environmental assessment and community consultation on nuclear power stations. Recruitment consultants and government agencies will be in attendance at the exhibition, while the RTPI stand will be the place to meet and network. The institute's networks will be present in strength and the presidential team will be available to talk to members before and between the various sessions.

In these economically challenging times, the convention provides a value-for-money chance to meet existing clients and discover new ones. If you have not already booked then please look at some attractive late offers on how to join us. I look forward to seeing you there.

Martin Willey is RTPI president. The Planning Convention will take place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London on 17-19 June. For more information, please visit www.theplanning convention.co.uk.