Communities sometimes ask: what’s the point of a community-led plan? Why sit around talking about a plan? Why not just get on with what needs to be done? There are two answers to this. The first answer is: how do you know what needs to be done if you haven’t done a Community Action Plan? That’s […]
Archive | community engagement
making the most of digital engagement
There’s been a lot of talk about online engagement in planning since lockdown started in March, much of it focussing on the use of web platforms for public Pre-Application Consultation on planning applications and Local Development Plan consultations. The Scottish Government’s flexibility in allowing online consultation in these statutory contexts has been widely welcomed to […]
If early engagement is such a great thing, why isn’t everyone doing it?
The original version of this article, jointly authored with Kathie Pollard of the Scottish Land Commission, was published on the Land Commission website on 15 June 2020. This version has been slightly updated. Research aims The principle of early public engagement is enshrined in recent major reforms to Scottish planning and land reform policy. The […]
redesigning George Square | a fresh start
Towards the end of last year, Glasgow City Council decided to ask its citizens a simple question about George Square: is it time for a change? Many will remember the international design competition for George Square held in 2012-13. It promised a radical redesign of the most celebrated public space at the heart of Scotland’s […]
Local Place Plans | Scottish Government research
Local Place Plans – one of the provisions of the new Scottish planning system – are the subject of much uncertainty in the world of Scottish planning. Have they started yet? What will they look like? How will they relate to Local Development Plans and other plans? Who will prepare them? Who will pay for them? […]
the value of early engagement: where’s the evidence?
My colleague Steven Tolson and I are delighted that the Scottish Land Commission has asked us to research the value of early public engagement in the planning system. We see this as really important piece of research by the Commission. Why? Because, despite the principle of early public engagement being enshrined in the two major […]
creating a buzz: the collaborative city centre
One thing I love about Glasgow city centre is the buzz: people everywhere, events in the street, new places to visit. In my professional life as an urban planner, I’m really interested in how to help make that buzz even better. Planning is often thought of as a legalistic activity, regulating new development. But it […]
Scottish planning awards: cutting edge or simply best practice?
The annual Scottish Quality in Planning Awards took place last Wednesday night in Edinburgh. If you’re interested in seeing the 20-plus awards that illustrate the best of Scottish planning in 2018, you’ll need to do some digging. The relevant Scottish Government webpage refers to just three of the awards; the interactive map linked to from […]
Glasgow city centre Avenues: initial design proposals for Argyle Street
As part of the team led by Civic Engineers with Urban Movement, Icecream Architecture and others for Glasgow City Council, we’ve just kicked off the first round of public engagement to roll out the transformational City Deal funded Avenues scheme over the next 5 years or so. Over 500 people braved the damp weather along Argyle Street and Trongate […]
community charrettes: how we can maximise their impact
I’ve had the privilege of being involved in almost twenty charrettes in Scotland. And it really is a privilege, because on every occasion I gain a fascinating insight into local life and aspirations, and learn new things about community development, placemaking and making change happen on the ground. Being a planner, I’ve long seen charrettes as […]