Strategic Planning Part 1: Will open data be the foundation for super-charging Planning Reform
What do we even mean by strategic planning and why is data so important
Introduction
The government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduce strategic planning through the development of spatial development strategies (SDS). These strategies aim to enhance the coordination of planning across different regions by integrating local plans into broader, regional frameworks. The SDS will be used to address cross-boundary issues like infrastructure, housing, and environmental sustainability, ensuring a more cohesive approach to regional development that aligns with national priorities.
This is a hugely welcome initiative for those working in the Place and Infrastructure ecosystem and will bring back a level of planning that has been sorely missed since the introduction of the Localism Act in 2010 and the dismantling of any effective statutory regional coordination of housing and infrastructure.
Some Strategic Planning Context
Strategic planning in England involves coordinating activities across large geographical areas and multiple sectors such as housing, transport, health, and the environment. Historically, strategic planning has been an essential part of the UK’s planning system, with various forms like Structure Plans and Regional Spatial Strategies guiding development. However, since 2010, there has been no mandatory requirement for strategic plans at a national level in England, resulting in a highly varied approach to strategic planning across the country.
The recent report, commissioned by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is a fantastic deep dive in this area and super helpful (way more than I can do justice here) in outlining the really granular detail including the history of strategic planning. There are also some useful case studies so should it should definitely be required reading for those needing to gear up for the brave new world post the new NPPF (or even responding to the consultation) and any new statutory instruments.
A Quick Point on Localism and Data
The concept of localism, introduced in 2010, emphasised devolution of planning powers to local authorities and communities. While this approach aimed to empower local decision-making, it has created a strategic planning void, leading to fragmented approaches and challenges in addressing cross-boundary issues.
This is relevant in the context of planning data as whilst there has been no statutory structures in place for strategic planning, the data (some of it open data) required is still been being collected and collated (just disparately and in siloes, see: Local Plans, Infrastructure Delivery PLan, Transport Plans, Housing Strategies and Local Industrial Strategies etc. There is significant opportunity to join this up at a strategic level if we want to drive SDS’s quickly and accelerate evidence bases regional level place and infrastructure planning.
The Role of Open Data in Strategic Spatial Planning
Strategic spatial planning is big ticket, it aims to shape the development of regions and communities in a way that promotes economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Traditionally, this planning process has relied on data from various sectors, but these data sources have often been siloed, leading to fragmented and less effective planning outcomes. Open data; that is freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish, without restrictions, presents an opportunity to break down these silos, enabling a more holistic and integrated approach to spatial planning.
This will be crucial for SDS’s which will have to address complex, interrelated challenges in planning for sustainable growth, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and housing provision.
More broadly, and with one eye on the economic volatility that we have also suffered in recent years, we should be thinking about data on construction supply chain, materials, investment and skills to provide a much wider lateral picture and develop more aligned delivery sequencing opportunities too.
The Importance of Integrated Data Systems
In Part 2 (its actually half written believe it or not!) I’ll expand on the more foundational data sets including, housing, transport, energy and environment, and while each of these datasets is valuable on its own, the true power of open data lies in its integration. By combining data, planners, project managers, developers and the full ecosystem of built environment actors involved in delivery can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing spatial development. This integrated approach allows for more accurate modelling, better decision-making, and more effective strategies. (and dare I say a secure long term roadmap for investment decisions)
Enhancing Decision-Making Through Integrated Data
Integrated data systems allow planners to model the complex interactions between different sectors, such as the impact of new housing developments on transportation networks, energy demand, and environmental sustainability. These models can help planners identify potential challenges and opportunities, test different development scenarios, and make evidence-based decisions that promote sustainable and resilient communities. As challenges associated with land use planning in the 21st century become more acute, new requirements for development to be energy-efficient and resilient to environmental risks, such as flooding or heatwaves will mean integrating these data sets to generate strongly evidenced insights are all the more crucial.
Clearly, integrating transport and housing data can help ensure that new housing developments are located in areas with good transport links, reducing the need for car travel and promoting the use of public transport. The Department for Transport has been developing a connectivity tool with Connected Places Catapult which we showcased recently at our TPXimpact July Digital Forum. I have a separate blog lined up to talk about this in more detail as there are such wide ranging opportunities for extending its functionality in areas such as energy and decarbonisation etc. However the core mission of the tool which has been developed by the DfT strategic planning team (Shout out Marco, Rob and Fergus) is to facilitate the creation of sustainable development patterns that are closely aligned with infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure.
Integrated data systems also enable planners to take a more proactive approach to infrastructure planning, especially when planning at scale where sequencing will need to align delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) with local and regional housing delivery. This will be essential in ensuring that new developments are supported by the necessary infrastructure from the outset which has often been one of the key barriers to delivery and often catalyses anti development activism in communities. Once you have good accurate integrated data sets this can also be used more effectively with machine learning, data science and AI to augment predictive modelling enabling planners to more accurately and efficiently identify areas where new infrastructure investments are needed to support future growth and avoid the need for costly retrofits in the future.
Introducing Part 2
I did intend this to be a blog but it somewhat turned to a thesis as there is so much to discuss. Hopefully Part 1 provides some conytatext and backgroound to delve further into the detail. Mainly on pulling out some of the key foundational data sets and any good wotk we should be building on but I’d also like to talk further about a bit of a pet project area for me at the moment which is transport infrastructure planning. Also throw in your thoughts and requests if there are specific areas you would like to see covered off in more detail.
