Hello,
World Town Planning Day 2016
Today marks World Town Planning Day, an annual event which has been running since 1949, where planners from across the globe engage in activities to raise awareness about the importance of planning in their communities. This international day sees 30 countries celebrating the achievements of planners and their contributions to the communities that they serve by participating in various activities.
The theme for this year’s World Town Planning Day is “Cities and Climate Change: Local Responses to a Global Challenge” and will be discussed in an online conference on the Planning the World website later on today.
It is important on days like today to remember Scotland’s very own Sir Patrick Geddes, who was one of the founding fathers of the British Town Planning movement. Geddes was instrumental in the improvement of the Old Town in the 19th Century. Geddes’ theory was that in order to improve a place, you had to be a part of the community. He moved his family into James Court, which at the time was a near-slum off the Lawnmarket at the top of the Royal Mile. He started by improving the building in which he and his family lived, which then inspired his neighbours and wider community into communal action. He had proved his theory.
Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2016
To coincide with World Town Planning Day, the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2016 will be taking place this evening. Tonight we will be attending the awards and we are delighted that two of our projects have been shortlisted. These are:
- The Open Space Strategy 2010
- The Planning and Building Standards Lean Reviews
As well as a joint submission with Fife Council for the Forth Bridge World Heritage Partnership Project.
The awards are run by the Scottish Government and this year they have introduced a new People’s Choice Award category. This allowed you to vote for any of the submissions and includes our submission for the use of the Place Standard in South Queensferry.
We will update you as to how we get on.
Wish us Luck!
Planning Edinburgh 
Dear Sirs,
I was interested to note that you have put forward the Open Space strategy 2010 for a quality award. It is ironic that the standards were not adhered to when giving permission to build on Portobello Park. Perhaps this was mentioned.
Yours faithfully
Stephen Hawkins
Hi Stephen
Thanks for the comment. Our submission to the awards didn’t go into individual cases. It did highlight the vital contribution made by local communities during the consultation and survey stages.
Regards
Planning Edinburgh