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NORTHERN POWER

WEDNESDAY MAY 12 WILL SEE THE INAUGURAL PLANNER LIVE NORTH, A ONEDAY (VIRTUAL) CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO NORTHERN ISSUES. WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

An offshoot of last year’s successful The Planner Live conference, The Planner Live North will be a one-day virtual event with a focus on big issues affecting the north of England: economic recovery; climate change; sustainable infrastructure; engaged communities; and healthy town centres.

It’ll look at what planning can do to meet these challenges while also attracting sustainable investment and growth to a region that lags behind the South on most economic indicators.

A mixture of keynote speeches and panel discussions, the event will feature speakers as varied as housing minister Christopher Pincher MP and Dame Sarah Storey, Paralympic cyclist and active travel commissioner for Sheffi eld.

But what kind of views and insight can you expect to hear?

‘Book your place now – click here’

“Recovery and resilience is about thinking harder about the right mix of infrastructure, other external support and community-led initiatives. Communities often know what they need and getting bottom up to work with top down is the challenge we face.” Bridget Rosewell, commissioner, National Infrastructure Commission – Planning for community resilience and sustainable economic recovery, 10.05am

“What’s needed to build an active travel strategy for the North is a consistent and inclusive longterm plan with key milestones and appropriate funding.” Joanna Ward, freelance transport planner – Planning for Active Travel, 3.10pm

Edna Robinson – Towards a more resilient Northern identity

Edna Robinson is chair of Th e People’s Powerhouse, founded to ensure that communities are at the heart of plans for the Northern Powerhouse. She’ll be speaking in the session titled ‘How to build resilient and engaged communities’.

On how we think about ‘the North’

“It makes me anxious when we talk about the area in a patronising or paternalistic way. But when you look at certain measures in terms of prosperity and economic growth then we do have signifi cant needs.

“We have a low-wage economy, poverty inequality and health inequality among ethnic minority communities. Th ere’s no doubt the pandemic has hit the North hard. We’ve been in lockdown virtually the whole time.”

Planner Live North: Powering up the North through planning

Wednesday 12 May 2021

9.30am

Welcome and Presidential address – Wei Yang MRTPI, president, RTPI

9.40am

Keynote address – Clive Betts MP, Labour MP for Sheffi eld South East

9.50am

Political address – Christopher Pincher MP, minister of state for MHCLG

10.05am

Plenary 1: Planning for community resilience and sustainable economic recovery.

11.20am

Choice of In-Focus breakout sessions: # 1: How to create resilient town centres # 2: How to build resilient and engaged communities # 3: Sustainable infrastructure for our future needs

2.00pm

Plenary 2: Planning to tackle climate change

3.00pm

Expo

3.10pm

Choice of In-Focus breakout sessions: # 4: Planning for Active Travel # 5: Designing for a Changing Climate # 6 - A planned Northern energy approach

4.05pm

Political Keynote

4.20pm

Closing remarks: Victoria Hill MRTPI – chief executive, RTPI

On the move towards regional devolution

“Th ere’s a massive pride and sense of identity about being Northern people and we are seeing regional politics becoming more and more signifi cant. Even the Welsh are talking more about independence.

“Because we are over-centralised as a country we need to see some clear decentralising of decisions about economic growth and the ability to raise taxes. Th ere needs to be an adult conversation about how the North can create its own decision-making –I hate to use the word ‘powers’… about what the North’s ‘entitlements’ are, in terms of things like investment in infrastructure and investment per head of population.

“Th ere’s a standard that could be set that the people of the North could expect and then decisions about how those things would be delegated. Up to now we’ve seen the mayoral concept emerge. But those deals [ie, city deals] have been “BECAUSE WE ARE OVERCENTRALISED AS A COUNTRY WE NEED TO SEE SOME CLEAR DECENTRALISING OF DECISIONS ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH” On why we need change now “One reason we’re clamouring for these solutions is because we are in pain about our done behind closed identity. We’re grasping doors and they are all for solutions, and often diff erent. Some mayors the wrong ones. People have powers that other are hurting. We need mayors don’t. We to have a conversation deserve better. Th ere’s a need for a about our core values and what constitutional discussion about what Britishness actually is beyond Brexit. the North’s entitlements can and A conversation about integrity, should be, and it can’t be in a smoke- responsibility, decency and that issue fi lled room.” to do with economics and greed. And when it comes to geography, let’s On creating new governance have a diff erent discussion.”

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“If we just cut and paste the current system, I feel quite fearful of that because we would still have a disenfranchised population. Th is is about a very strong sense of regional identity and ownership. We need to look to other parts of Europe where there’s a very strong sense of regional identity, of uniqueness, and often the sense of wanting to separate – but these things don’t come without risk.

“Th e idea that we are living in a risk-free environment is laughable. Look at the nonsensical way in which government departments don’t connect with each other. Th en this whole issue about whether we are going to a regional identity when there’s not even a regional decisionmaking process.

“We’re talking about deliberative debate and citizens’ assemblies. It’s not about saying there are binary answers to things. I don’t think there’s a perfect answer but I do think there’s enough energy and thought to try this.”

n Find out more about Th e People’s Powerhouse:bit.ly/planner0521powerhouse

What’s the best way to achieve a planned approach to energy in the North? “Th e Humber’s fl exible development-focused approach to planning secured Siemens Gamesa and the Humber Freeport. You can hear more about how planners can be growth enablers in the ‘A planned Northern energy approach’ session.” Alex Codd, city economic development and regeneration manager, Hull City Council – A planned Northern energy approach, 3.10pm

“Th e fi rst step towards climate resilient design is to think about it as an integral part of a scheme. Too often climate change is dealt with as an ‘add-on’, or through the application of minimum standards. Designed in early, adaptation and mitigation need not lead to costly solutions and issues with viability. In the North, we’re seeking to secure the best outcomes for climate, nature and people through good design. Th e RTPI is leading the way in terms of corporate policy and promoting best practice in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.” Tim Crawshaw MRTPI, urban transport planner and vice-president, RTPI – Designing for a Changing Climate, 3.10pm for r a Cha

g “If everywhere is only accessed by vehicle, then you’re instantly removing a third of the population who don’t have access to that vehicle in the fi rst place. Th e prerequisite to having access to opportunity shouldn’t be that you you need a car.” Dame Sarah Storey, active travel commissioner for Sheffi eld City City Region – Planning for Active Travel, 3.10pm

Read Active ingredients: A Q&A with Dame Sarah Storey