More than half of Brits want a say in post-pandemic planning
The need for the UK’s local places and services to adapt to a new world following the COVID-19 pandemic – and the desire to involve local people – has been highlighted in a new report.
The report published today by consultation and engagement practice Grayling Engage and the RTPI, which involved UK-wide research with the general public and industry professionals working across planning, property, infrastructure and health, also explores how the pandemic changed public decision making, and what this could mean for the future.
More than half (53%) of the general public surveyed agreed that changes to local places, spaces and services will need to happen to adapt to life post pandemic – and that they want to be involved in these decisions.
Changes to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change was the biggest priority for the public, with almost half (45%) saying this will need to change and they would like to be involved. This was a particular priority for young people (60% of those aged 16-24, compared to 33% of those aged 55).
This was closely followed by the need for more communal areas and green space, for example parks and playgrounds (44%) – which have provided a haven for many families during lockdowns throughout the year.
Rikki Butler, Head of Grayling Engage and co-author of the report, said: “People are more interested and invested in their local communities than ever before. Our research showed that more than half (53%) of the population could be motivated to contribute to future decision making. Given how much local areas and services will need to adapt after the pandemic, harnessing this interest will be essential to ensuring the decisions that are being taken truly reflect the needs of local communities.”
Sue Manns FRTPI, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, added: “I am delighted that the Royal Town Planning Institute and Grayling have come together to produce this timely report on the future of community engagement. It is vital that we capitalise on the renewed interest of communities in shaping the way places recover from the pandemic, and on new ways of reaching out to more people. The pandemic has shone a light on place based inequality, access to green spaces and local amenities, housing and how we travel around – whether that be for work or leisure.
“Planning will play vital role in delivering a holistic recovery which accelerates progress to a zero carbon economy, increases resilience to risk, and creates fair, healthy and prosperous communities. Local knowledge, which has been key in responding to the crisis, must be at the centre of this place-based approach to local decision-making. Planners should be resourced and ready to respond with inclusive and innovative ways of engaging people across society in shaping their future places.”
As well as considering what is needed for the future, the report also examined how industry has involved local communities in key decisions during the pandemic, finding that the vast majority (83%) had changed the way they consult, moving conversations that traditionally took place in town halls, libraries and other public spaces, online.
This is a move that will be welcomed by the general public, with almost half (49%) saying that having the ability to respond digitally as well as face-to-face would make them more likely to get involved in consultations, particularly with younger respondents (54% of people aged 16-24 vs 43% of those aged 55).
This suggests digital engagement could be the key to unlocking participation from a larger, younger and more diverse cohort – which would help ensure the many decisions needed to help the country adapt after the pandemic more accurately reflect the needs of a rapidly changing society.
The new report comes as Grayling Engage launches its new virtual engagement offering, EngageOnline, a user-friendly, fully-customisable platform to facilitate online consultation programmes.
Designed to provide the tools needed to comply with the consultation requirements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, the platform is flexible to meet the needs of a wide range of other projects from planning applications for housing developments, to change programmes being run by the NHS.
Source: Show House News
