Facing the Future: Perspectives on Planning

For those involved in place-making and those with longstanding professional interests in urban planning.

How do we create places that truly work for people? If you’re interested in urban planning, architecture, or place-making, this event is for you.

Our speakers will explore the resourcing of planning services, pre-and post-qualification training, Local Development Plans, Sustainability Issues, issues around decisions and consents and the National Planning Improvement Framework.

RSA Fellows and guests are welcome to register for this event, which may be of particular interest to those involved in urban planning and architecture. The RSA acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of Brodies in hosting this at its Edinburgh office.

The event is specifically designed for those with involved with place-making and those with longstanding professional interests in urban planning. It should also be of interest to Fellows who are on boards of heritage and planning bodies such as Civic Trusts and World Heritage sites or have involvement in property development or development trusts. It is also relevant to those who engage with Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and SURF (Scotland’s Regeneration Forum). It is open to RIAS, RTPI and RICS Fellows and practising lawyers and accountants. The Perspectives and subsequent discussion will also be of interest to Fellows who are on the board of any Regional Economic Partnership, Enterprise Agency, Community Council or who are elected representatives at any local or national level in Scotland.

The meeting will be chaired by Mrs Ann Packard FRSA HonFRIAS, who, like her colleague Dr Eric Carlin, is one of the local RSA Fellowship Council members.

Speakers

• Aaron Doidge FRTPI FRSA: Aaron is a Senior Consultant specialising in strategic development and regeneration. A Chartered Urban Planner by trade, Aaron has worked on a number of transformational projects and innovative plans across Scotland and the wider UK. He is also a Board Director of Planning Aid Scotland and believes in the importance of meaningful community engagement in the planning process. He has served on the executive committee of RTPI Scotland and is known to be a keen Scottish Rugby supporter.
• Craig McLaren FRTPI FRSA: Craig is Scotland’s first National Planning Improvement Champion. This role was established in the 2019 Planning Act to monitor planning performance and support improvement. and is based in the Improvement Service. Prior to that he was Director of Scotland, Ireland and English Regions in the Royal Town Planning Institute; Director of the Scottish Centre for Regeneration in Communities Scotland/ Scottish Government and Chief Executive of SURF. He is a Fellow of the RTPI, the RSA and the Academy of Social Sciences, and an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism.
• Karen Hamilton of Brodies: Karen is a recognised expert in compulsory purchase and compensation. She has significant experience of consenting and land assembly implications for major infrastructure projects in the transport and energy sectors, frequently leading or collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams. She has also advised on a number of high-profile city centre projects, including purpose built student accommodation (PBSA); build to rent (BTR) and hotel developments, and has significant experience in the aquaculture sector.Karen advises clients on consenting risk and strategy; procedure; EIA; planning obligations; appeals and inquiries. Having worked in local government for 5 years at the start of her career, Karen has a good understanding of the public sector landscape and advises a number of planning authorities and other regulators, as well as developers, funders and major landowners.
• Lesley Martin FRTPI FRSA: Lesley is a qualified town planner with Masters and Doctoral level qualifications in business administration. She chairs the Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust), which she combines with academic and advisory roles. Lesley’s career was in strategic planning, economic development, research, and performance management, mainly located in Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians. She has contributed to the work of the RSA, RTPIS and Planning Aid for Scotland, with a particular interest in sustainable and inclusive growth.
• Stefano Smith FRTPI FRSA: Stefano is the Planning Director & Scotland Lead at Third Revolution Projects, which is a planning, economic & social impact and sustainability consultancy. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Fellow of the RSA, with over 35 years’ experience across urban and rural planning. A commercial and pragmatic Planning Director, he has advised on and delivered complex National, Major and Local developments throughout Scotland and the wider UK. Stefano has played a significant role in shaping Scottish Government planning policy and guidance, particularly on infrastructure funding, delivery mechanisms and developer contributions. He brings deep expertise in sustainable development, regeneration, masterplanning, infrastructure, energy and mixed-use schemes. Formerly a UK Government High Streets Task Force Expert, he has supported the regeneration of town centres across England. Stefano is an experienced speaker, advisor and expert witness, known for solution-driven, place-based planning leadership.