The proposed merger of ROOM, the National Council for Housing and Planning, and the Royal Town Planning Institute
ROOM, the National Council for Housing and Planning, and the Royal Town Planning Institute are recommending that the two organisations merge. Both organisations see this as a very positive, bold and exciting step. A merger will create a new organisation which builds on the strengths of the two existing bodies but which gains the opportunities for growth and innovative working that can be achieved through this fusion of interests and expertise.
It will create a much stronger voice for all those actively engaged in housing, planning and regeneration. It will provide an improved service for the increased membership of the new organisation, whilst retaining the strength of the professional membership, and will enable significant developments to take place in all areas of the RTPI's and ROOM's work.
A programme of development ...
Both organisations share a desire for change. In 1999 the NHTPC merged with the Housing Centre Trust and ROOM was launched. Since that time, it has broadened its membership, extended its activities and increased its influence.
The Royal Town Planning Institute is currently undergoing a period of radical change to enable it to be more inclusive in its membership and more interventionist in policy and practice. Its new vision for planning is designed to 'lead to a body so different that it will be seen as a New Institute'.
As part of this process, the RTPI intends to establish a number of associations, the membership of which will be open to all. The first three of these - to be launched in 2002, are:
- an association for all those concerned with providing decent housing for all
- a community planning association
- an elected members association.
ROOM's activities and membership will be focused on these progressive groups and further details will be available shortly.
The combination of these two dynamic organisations will enable major change and development to take place which would not have been possible with the two organisations working in parallel.
Shared objectives ....
ROOM and the RTPI share a common history, have common objectives and are complementary in their existing work. ROOM's origins lie in the National Housing Reform Council, founded in 1900, which piloted the 1909 Housing and Town Planning Act through Parliament. The RTPI was formed in 1914 with a number of key individuals involved in the development of both organisations.
This common history is reflected in the fact that both organisations share the same charitable objective to 'advance the science and art of town planning'. ROOM's objectives are broader and incorporate housing, urban renewal and community regeneration and focus on those areas and communities experiencing deprivation.
The proposed merger will create a new body that will address the much broader agenda that affects the ways in which we live now and will do in the future. The merger recognises that housing and regeneration rely on a positive and effective spatial planning system and that this demands that all those who are involved in, and affected by, this process need a forum where they can share experiences, improve practice and affect policy.
Complementary activities ....
ROOM and the RTPI are already complementary organisations in their activities. Both have a large and influential membership, with that of the RTPI made up largely of chartered members of the Institute whilst ROOM's membership includes housing associations, local authorities, community groups, the housing development industry and individuals.
Both organisations run conferences and events, with the RTPI's focusing on planning and professional development whilst ROOM encompasses housing and regeneration and has a broad range of delegates attending its events.
Both organisations publish journals, with Planning being the only journal in the field dealing with this issue and axis, the journal of housing planning and regeneration, focusing on affordable housing and partnership working.
Both organisations have a well established branch network at regional level which organises events and provides forums for exchanging ideas and for involvement in the new regional agenda. Both commission and undertake research and policy development to inform the stances that they take on significant issues and both celebrate effective and innovative practice through awards schemes.
A coming together of these two national organisations will enhance their respective strengths in all these activities.
A stronger voice ...
The fusion of these complementary activities will produce a much needed, more informed, clearer and stronger voice to address the key issues of sustainable development, social and economic exclusion, decent and affordable housing, the quality of places and the equitable allocation of the use of land.
The RTPI and ROOM already work with the major national bodies in these fields, including the ODPM, the NRU, the Housing Corporation and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. They are already planning further innovative joint projects with these and other major organisations.
More soundly based ...
The joining of the resources and strengths of both organisations, combined with the savings that will be achieved through sharing premises and common services, will create an organisation that is more soundly based in its resourcing. The merger will bring together the range of expertise and skills that exist in both organisations. No staff will be lost as a result of the merger.
This will mean both that the organisation will be even more cost effective and that the work of the new body can be focused on providing a better service for its increased membership and on having a real effect on the development of policy at all levels.
Improved services ...
A more involved membership
At the heart of the merger is the desire to provide improved services for the membership of both existing organisations. The chartered, professionally qualified membership of the RTPI will remain as a defining strength of the new body and the status of such members will remain unchanged. However, the body will gain in strength from inviting the engagement of all those who are involved in, or affected by, planning.
Membership of the new body and its associations will give:
- the opportunity to be involved in the new associations and in regional activities which will bring together a wider grouping of all those involved in planning, housing and regeneration;
- access to a far wider range of seminars and training events - at specially discounted rates;
- a free copy of Planning or Regeneration & Renewal each week and the bi-monthly axis;
- the chance to influence national and local policy;
- the scope to take an active role in the governance of the new body;
- the opportunity to support this new national organisation in becoming the foremost group campaigning and educating to improve the contribution of planning and housing to community regeneration and sustainable development.
Events
The programme of events will be greatly increased. Established events, such as the RTPI's practice development series, the National Regeneration Convention, and the housing innovation seminars will continue and new, valuable training events will be introduced.
Regions
The new body will start a programme of investing in, and encouraging the development of, its regional network to enable these to become truly unique forums for discussion, practice development and action at regional and local levels.
Research and Campaigns
The merger will allow the new organisation to increase its capacity to undertake and commission research. This will contribute to wider debates but, in particular, it will enable the new body to take a more informed and higher profile in major national and local issues.
Publications
The new organisation will further develop its publications with practice based guides, the enhancement of Planning Theory and Practice and with exciting plans being drawn up to make axis an even more significant and widely read journal.
Innovative Practice
The RTPI already recognises achievement in planning through its national and regional awards scheme. ROOM similarly organises the National Partnership Awards. This work will provide the basis for the new body taking a central role in practice development and dissemination.
Return to Press Release - 25th July 2002
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