Last weekend, Emma Blunt represented SF Planning at the annual RTPI Young Planners’ Conference in Birmingham. Each year, the conference gives planners in the first ten years of their carers the opportunity to engage with a range experienced and knowledgeable speakers. The interactive format of the event allows delegates to express their own perspectives and plays a significant role in the career development of young planners.
Here’s what Emma had to say about the weekend:
“The theme for the weekend was ‘planning for legacy’ and the conference featured a range of fascinating presentations. Topics included:
Day One:
Masterplanning for Legacy – Transforming Birmingham Through Regeneration Projects, including the Birmingham Big City Plan
Unlocking regeneration through transport.
Form the variety of breakout sessions on offer, I attended an insightful discussion on how to deliver a legacy through large-scale housebuilding. The session focussed on implementing stewardship into new housing developments and the opportunity to build communities, as well as homes. The afternoon saw a (rather drizzly) walk to the ongoing Paradise regeneration project. Despite the rain, we were delivered a very informative presentation on the master planning of the project, and the different constraints the design team dealt with as part of their work.
Day Two
On Saturday we began the day with a really informative planning law update. Content included changes to planning legislation, including the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) and extensions to Permitted Development (PD) legislation. Examining recent impactful legal decisions through the various case studies was particularly valuable.
To finish, the closing panel focussed on the vital measures that are needed to address the climate crisis in England. We discussed the importance of strategic and spatial planning, biodiversity, transport and other key issues affecting the country.
It was awesome to hear from the RTPI President Sue Bridge for her take on tackling the issues going forward. The closing panel Q&A also focussed on how we address these really important issues in the future.”
Huge thanks to the Committee of West Midlands Young Planners for hosting the event. With Special thanks to the speakers, who gave their time and expertise to support the career development of our young planners.
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