We need young voices in planning – reflections on the National Planning Conference 2023
Just over two weeks ago, Planning Portal had the pleasure of hosting the National Planning Conference in Birmingham, in conjunction with the Royal Town Planning Institute.
We’re still reeling from the success of the event, which bought together some of the most influential figures from across the built environment sectors to network, share ideas and contribute to the important conversations taking place in the world of planning today.
Delegates were treated to a host of thought-provoking panel sessions, led and contributed to by leading thinkers from a diverse range of built-environment organisations and networks. It also presented the perfect opportunity for delegates to network with exhibitors and learn about technologies, products and services which can benefit our sectors in so many ways.
One topic that had a particular impact on delegates and prompted lively discussion across the two days, was the concept of youth involvement in planning.
After lunch on the first day of the conference, Corrin Wendall gave a profound keynote speech, during which she outlined her Youth Engagement Planning (YEP!) programme, which focuses on teaching school children in the USA about city planning.
She spoke with great passion, sharing her experiences watching children begin to understand and enjoy the process of city planning, and emphasising the value of introducing children to planning during their school years.
Corrin’s enthusiasm for the topic was infectious, inspiring delegates to consider how the UK built environment industries can more proactively engage children with the planning system.
And this excitement set the stage perfectly for Friday’s ‘Delivering for 2070’ panel session, which was chaired by Pooja Agrawal of Public Practice, and contributed to by three notable young planners, Bethany Rance of East Suffolk Council, Jo Rodgers of Ethical Partnership and SLC Property, and Joshua Singh of Sandwell Council.
During this session, we were treated to keynote speeches from all three young planners, in which they highlighted challenges and potential solutions to long-term planning issues.
Bethany Rance spoke eloquently about her ongoing work on big energy infrastructure projects, which aim to tackle and prepare for the effects of climate change. She also touched on the potential of new and future technologies to help us face environmental changes going forward.
Jo Rogers focused on issues of homelessness, empty homes and social exclusion, citing the work of a particular charity which helps vulnerable people access renovation and house-building work, and vocalising her encouragement for Local Authorities to engage with these kinds of organisations more broadly.
Joshua Singh ended the ‘Delivering for 2070’ session by conjuring up images of radical future technologies, which might not only be able to help us plan our towns and cities, but also help us to solve many of the societal issues we currently face, locally and globally.
There were many takeaways from the National Planning Conference this year – however, the value our sector can gain by giving a voice to young planners and encouraging young people to engage with planning, and the importance of heeding the advice of young people when it comes to placemaking, were perhaps among the most important.
Stay tuned for more news on the National Planning Conference 2023, including in-depth reflections on some of our favourite sessions, in the coming days and weeks.
If you are interested in becoming involved as a sponsor or exhibitor at any of our future events, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at conference@planningportal.co.uk.
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