Community Participation and Social Justice

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, providing opportunities for active citizenship.

Cover Image. A man and a women in a community garden in Southwark.

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.

Planning Advice

Planning Aid for London

Planning Aid for London (PAL) is London’s advice and training service on planning. Supporting communities and people who Planning Aid for London’s brings together resources and advice for community groups and individuals. Anyone who wants to know how planning works and how they can influence decisions about development can use them.