In June 2001, the RTPI published a New Vision for Planning and, in doing so, embarked on a ‘programme of radical evolution, which will lead to a body so different that it will be seen as a New Institute’.  We are now a long way towards achieving this ambitious aim. 

The RTPI is at the forefront of thinking about the new spatial planning: and at the forefront of demonstrating how it can work in practice.  Through the work of the Education Commission, we are introducing far-reaching changes to the ways in which planners are educated and learn, with a much greater emphasis on life-long learning, on developing skills in practice and a flexibility in initial education that is already showing results in recruiting more students to planning courses.

The RTPI has increased its ability to play a key role in developing good practice through evidence-based research, using its unique networks.  We are improving the ways in which we communicate with those bodies which we seek to influence and with our own membership.  We are introducing flexible new routes into membership to give greater recognition to experience and differing paths to qualification.  We are committed to creating a more diverse profession representative of the communities we seek to serve.

The RTPI is innovating ways of enabling its own membership to develop knowledge and share experience more effectively through a review of our Branches and through establishing topic based networks for our members.  The pilot Regeneration Network is already approaching 250 members. 

And the RTPI has recognised the need to create more inclusive groups by opening its doors to all those who are concerned about, and with, planning.  We have merged with the national housing and planning charity ROOM and have established ROOMatRTPI Associations for politicians in planning, and for those interested in housing and community planning, with a membership open to all. 

The RTPI has a long-established Planning Aid Service, through which our members give voluntary support to the community.  This is now being developed rapidly in England with nearly £4m of ODPM funding, and is being expanded throughout the UK.  This will enable us to do much more work with communities in need to help them engage directly in the planning process.

In promoting change, therefore, the RTPI is redefining the roles of professionals in the 21^st century.  In doing this, the RTPI asserts that a new, inclusive professionalism is vital if social, environmental and economic issues are to be tackled effectively.  The strengths of a professional approach must be built upon, not dissipated.

Planning deals with complex issues and demands an informed, co-ordinated and outcome-based approach.  The practice of planning requires a depth of knowledge and a professional rigour based on a solid foundation of research, education and practice development.  It requires the competence and the commitment to identify the issues of fact and the issues of values, and to identify effective and equitable action.

The professionalism represented by the new RTPI embodies a collective approach to promoting high standards of qualification, membership, accreditation, continuing professional development and standards of practice.  This discipline, as for any other profession, is founded on the autonomy of a collegiate body committed to collective learning and development, and giving public assurance about quality and regulation of its members

Professional institutes have a fundamental commitment to the 'common good' that goes beyond serving the interests of clients who pay them – in the public, private or voluntary sectors.  Professional institutes must take the long-run view – using their collective expertise and capability to learn and develop knowledge to challenge ‘quick fix’ solutions that are no solution at all, and to promote practices that really work.

A pre-condition for this is professional autonomy.  If government undermines the role of professional bodies, or circumvents them by using government agencies to promote qualifications and standards and ‘professional’ practices, then it subverts the role of the professions and makes professional practice subordinate to [usually short-term] political agendas.  This works against the public interest.

There is an important question about the need for multi-disciplinary or cross-disciplinary working between professions to tackle the very complex issues of spatial development that our society faces.  The RTPI is committed to inter-professional and inter-disciplinary working.  But it is absolutely vital that cross-disciplinary working is nurtured and developed on the basis of the core knowledge, skills and competencies of professions as well-founded as the RTPI, rather than being either lost in the lowest common denominator of an amorphous amalgam of professions or being hijacked to the political agenda of a government agency.

We want to help to improve the planning system: but it is often the way in which the system is used which determines its effectiveness.  The development plan system already works well where the approach to practice is positive and dynamic but fails where there is a lack of vision, determination and commitment.  This point is key to discussions on new legislation.  It applies equally to all aspects of the planning process.  Development control will not produce quality places if practised by local authorities and developers in a cynical and adversarial culture..

The RTPI therefore strongly and actively supports the work of government throughout the British Isles on improving practice.  It is important that this is directed not just at local authorities but at all the players in the practice of planning.  The RTPI recognises its own responsibility here.  We are already committed to supporting culture change amongst our members and others associated with the process.

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