The Scottish Government

Name

Karol Swanson

Job title

Organisation

Planning Aid for Scotland

Address

11a S. Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AS

Telephone

0131 220 9730

Fax

0131 220 9735

Email

karol@planningaidscotland.org.uk

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

Title of entry

Planning to Act

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

Planning to Act is an innovative and creative series of interactive workshops that transcends traditional methods of raising public awareness of planning and reaches out to the wider community.

Planning to Act uses visual arts, drama and creative writing to provoke thought and discussion on the role of the individual and the community in planning.

Planning Aid for Scotland has been delivering one-day planning workshops to community groups since 1996.

Our main client groups have been Community Councils, community groups, voluntary organisations, and community activists. However these workshops appeal mostly to people who are comfortable with written submissions and who have higher levels of literacy. We do know from working with communities that there are many people who are left outside the planning process and who would feel more comfortable if given different methods and tools to engage. Our work with young people, access panels, ethnic minorities and gypsy travellers, who would all welcome a different style of learning and participating in the planning process. Through the use of Planning to Act we effectively help to open up the planning system enabling a more diverse range of people to participate.

We also know that there is great potential for raising awareness and reaching more people by doing short, enjoyable, interactive and informative workshops.

The aim of Planning to Act is to help to open up the planning system to people who would otherwise find it difficult or uninteresting to engage in the planning process. The process is interactive and gives everyone the opportunity to participate, irrespective of age, experience, gender or race. It is a unique approach to bring people into the planning process.

Through the use of creative and artistic tools we make the process of learning and empowerment around the planning process enjoyable, entertaining and informative.

Planning to Act works on different levels. It is thought provoking and stimulates discussion and debate around town and country planning issues without people needing to know the intricacies of the system. It also challenges people's own prejudices and assumptions in a fun way.

Planning to Act raises awareness of the role of the individual in the planning process, the role of the planner and can help people to understand the bigger picture of planning.

In September 2006 Planning Aid for Scotland received a grant from Awards for All to undertake a feasibility study. During this time, a wide range of people, planning professionals, arts and community groups, were interviewed to determine the scope and shape of this project.

In November 2006, we ran a pilot workshop in Edinburgh to test the application on the ground. The event was attended by 21 participants from a variety of backgrounds and feedback was very favourable.

From 14th August- 31st August 2007, we ran 24 two hour Planning to Act workshops as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a range of participants from all walks of life. Again feedback was very positive. We are now hoping to roll out Planning to Act across Scotland.

Planning to Act is divided into three activities: creative writing, visual arts and drama. Every workshop starts with an opening exercise, OPERA, which is a tried and tested method of stimulating discussion and sharing ideas. The focus of the OPERA exercise is 'How can people in Scotland have their say in the Planning System'. This session encourages the group to work together and to consider the views of others, which is the key to effective participation in planning.

The OPERA session is then followed by an interactive workshop using one of the above methods to enable the participants to work together and demonstrate what they've learned through the medium of story telling, art or drama.

The session ends with a discussion on what they've learned and how they can, and should, become actively involved in planning decisions that will affect their environment and that of others for years to come.

Participants take away a pack which includes information about the planning system and the new Planning (Scotland) Act 2006. They also leave knowing more about where to get further information and advice.

Planning Aid for Scotland staff and planning volunteers act as planning advisors on the project.

The artistic team comprises a core group of 3 artists, each with many years experience and expertise in community theatre, dance, visual arts and drama.

Planning to Act is of particular interest to people living in regeneration areas and we anticipate working closely with the Urban Regeneration Companies.

Feedback from monitoring forms is overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the participants state that they would definitely participate in planning matters in the future.

Planning professionals learned new techniques with which to engage people less used to participating and to encourage and maintain their involvement.

Overall the impression gained is that Planning to Act leaves participants more positively involved and less inclined to regard planning as an obstacle.

Planning to Act meets the challenge of opening up the planning process to a more diverse range of people through new and innovative ways. It highlights that planning, far from being a technical, iterative process is a creative process that can carry the vision and aspiration of all.