The role community participation has to play:
Planning matters to people. The way decisions are made influences people’s trust in local democracy and whether they feel at home in their communities.
At its best, the planning process is participative, open, and inclusive. It meets the needs and aspirations of all sections of society. This requires a democratic framework that empowers everybody to take part in decisions affecting their lives.
How the TCPA works to achieve democracy and social justice in planning
The TCPA has worked for decades with government and the private sector making the case for meaningful public participation. This is informed by our expertise in stewardship – giving communities control over the legacy of their neighbourhoods.
We also directly support communities getting engaged in planning. This includes our partnership with Planning Aid for London (PAL), which is expanding its advice and training services with our support.
Resources
The TCPA’s community participation and social justice resources can be divided in two categories:
- The first include resources for community groups and individuals who want to know how planning works and how they can get involved.
- The second are primarily aimed at planning practitioners who want to know how planning can deliver outcomes that benefit all communities and incorporate everyone’s needs and views.
Become a member
Join our community of members to access our archive of recordings from past climate related webinars and workshops and receive discounts on future events.
Local democracy
Long-term stewardship
Creating places which enable people to live healthy and fulfilling lives means providing the spaces, places and infrastructure that people need to live well and which enable the natural world to thrive. It also means empowering people to have a say on how their homes and neighbourhoods are created and managed.
Resource
Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action
Explore this collection of case studies, spotlighting inspiring community projects from across England – from using food as a catalyst for connection to creating skills and knowledge-sharing networks. They also contain practical advice and useful tips to help ensure that your community project is a success.
Campaign
Children and Young People
The TCPA, along with partners in the built environment sector, is working to reclaim space for children and young people.
Planning Advice
Planning Aid for London
Planning Aid for London (PAL) is London’s advice and training service on planning. PAL provides resources and advice for community groups and individuals to help them better understand how planning works and how they can influence decisions about development.
Resources
Practical Hope: Woodgate Community Shop
Woodgate Community Shop is more than just a business. It has played a pivotal role in facilitating community cohesion between new and existing community members in Woodgate, West Sussex.
Youth engagement in planning, regeneration and neighbourhood management – Voice Opportunity Power
Young people have a right to be involved in the decisions that shape the places where they live and including them creates better places for everyone. The Voice Opportunity Power toolkit is a free resource with practical guidance on how to involve young people (11-18) in the way that places get built and managed.
Child-friendly planning and design: insights from European cities
This webinar recording explores case studies from four European cities embracing child-friendly planning and urban design. This webinar included case studies from Spain, Slovakia, Albania and Germany that offer insight and practical lessons that can be applied in the UK.
News & Blog
Planning Reform: in defence of democratic planning
(Photo: Civic Square aims to enable community-led transformation and transition in Birmingham. It is one of the case studies featured…
Raising the healthiest generation in history – report launch
Raising the healthiest generation in history: recommendations and an evidence review from the Levelling Up Committee inquiry into children, young…
Prioritise outdoor play to give children best start in life, finds new report
The government will fail to meet its aim to radically improve the health of children and young people unless its…
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