Bringing young people together to make better places: a case study from PLACED on youth voice
2026-04-28 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Webinar

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Engaging young people in planning brings insight into how places are used everyday. Their perspectives can highlight what supports, or limits, play, movement, safety and social connection in ways that are too often overlooked by adults.

When done well, engagement with children and young people is practical and purposeful, allowing them to actively shape decisions rather than simply inform them. Youth engagement can lead to more inclusive, well-used places that work better for everyone, and ensures that children and young people feel recognised as part of the communities they live in.

PLACED have been involving children and young people in the design of places since 2011. Their work with young people provides invaluable insight into the views of this key, often underrepresented group, but it also delivers significant social value through building confidence, exploring career options and encouraging active citizenship.

In this webinar we will here from Jo Harrop, PLACED Director about meaningful engagement, a young person engaged with the PLACED Academy programme and Lily Dowse on PLACED’s recent work engaging over 200 young people to reimagine the town centres of Rochdale, Middleton, and Heywood.

This event supports the TCPA’s ongoing work on the rights, needs and voices of children and young people in the built environment, including case studies and guidance on embedding children and young people in planning policy.

Supported by:

TCPA Summer Conference: Strategic planning for inclusive growth
2026-06-22 10:00 - 14:30
Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Pl, Earl St, London EC2A 4ES

As England embarks on a transformative period of strategic spatial planning through Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs), the TCPA’s summer conference will bring together those working at the coalface who are beginning to develop strategic plans for their areas.

Government continues to clarify the legislative and policy framework for subregional spatial development strategies against the backdrop of ongoing local government reorganisation. SDSs are designed to provide positive, long-term spatial visions for investment, new homes and infrastructure that align with economic, social and environmental goals, with clear duties embedded in the Planning and Infrastructure Act and Devolution Bill.

For some these will be seen as much needed growth strategies. But how do places make sure that growth is inclusive? And how do they meet their duties to have regard to health and health inequalities alongside sustainable development and climate resilience?

This conference explores not only why SDSs are returning, but how they can actively drive inclusive and sustainable growth – closing gaps between places, improving health outcomes, coordinating infrastructure, and shaping long‑term spatial investment. It will provide vital insight to planning and placemaking officers and members in emerging and established strategic authorities to make ready and prepare for developing their Spatial Development Strategy by 2029.

We are grateful to our hosts and sponsors Pinsent Masons and Prior and Partners for supporting this event, alongside the Lady Margaret Paterson Osborn Trust.

We want our events to be accessible, welcoming and engaging for everyone. This includes supporting any access, religious or dietary requirements. See the documents below for more details.

Draft Agenda

Please note this agenda is subject to change.

Session 1: The return of strategic planning (Arrivals from 10am for 10:30am start+

10:00–10:30 Arrivals and registration 10:30Introduction from Andrew Pritchard, TCPA Chair10:40-11:40Session 1: This first session will set the scene and give an overview of the progress of universal strategic plan coverage by 2029. We will hear from MHCLG to clarify the legal duties under the Planning & Infrastructure Act 2025 and what this mean for SDSs as vehicles for inclusive, sustainable growth. We will then hear what early work authorities can do to improve their readiness.

Session 2: Emerging approaches to inclusive growth (11:45am)+

11:45 – 12:45Session 2: This session brings together senior policy and public health leaders to explore how different places are translating inclusive and sustainable growth principles into spatial priorities – using SDSs to integrate economic, social, environmental, climate and health evidence into a strategic vision for their areas. This session will explore what SDSs should focus on and what is better left to local plans. It will also look at what can done to start the process. 12:45-1:30Lunch

Session 3: Strategic housing growth in SDSs (1:30pm)+

1:30 – 2:15Session 3: Many voices, including the New Towns Taskforce have argued that planning for housing including large scale new communities would be easier if we had larger than local planning. What opportunities do strategic plans present against the future devolution of housing and funding powers, and how do we make sure that new communities and wider housing strategies deliver inclusive growth? This panel discussion will consider large-scale urban extensions and new settlements and what specific approaches are needed to support the delivery of very large super strategic sites.2:15-2:30pmClosing remarks 2:30pmConference ends
