“Planning has become vulnerable.” – Prof Yvonne Rydin

The modern challenges associated with economy-led urban planning has lead policy practitioners and academics to consider alternative models of delivery to combat the UK’s growing housing crisis. Increasingly, market-led systems have seen criticism for their reliance on the private sector for the delivery of social and environmental goals. As such, a focus on high-value developments often leaves areas of perceived low market value largely untouched. 

A recent event, hosted by Urban Retrofit, saw the presentation of Professor Yvonne Rydin’s recent book “Planning without Growth”. Exploring alternative approaches to planning, Prof. Rydin argues that the dominant economy-led model of planning leaves local economic development and any social or environmental benefits dependent on wider economic conditions. 

The ‘post-growth planning’ concept suggests rebalancing diverse economies to consider not just the large, medium and small market economy, but also the social economy and civil society. In her book, Prof. Rydin examines models of planning already in place internationally such as co-ops, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s), social enterprises and community land trusts. Each of these rebalance the relationship between the market and civil society. 

More broadly, Prof. Rydin argues that “planning has a tendency to follow one solution”. Consequently, the post-growth planning model relies on not just the rebalancing of diverse economies, but also multi-level infrastructure alongside revised environmental regulations. Re-centring communities and small business owners at the heart of local development could see a shift away from the promotion of larger-scale new urban development. Concluding that post-growth planning doesn’t advocate for a complete shift away from market-based planning, Prof. Rydin laments that the dominant model doesn’t work everywhere. Post-growth planning does have policy implications at the national level; however, its outlook is more focussed on the local level.

The event also invited planning professionals to take part in a panel discussion on some of the ideas discussed in Prof. Rydin’s lecture. The panellists considered the practical implications and challenges of post-growth development, alongside some of the approaches being implemented in Scotland.

Among the panellists at the event was Stephen Jones Director of Core Cities and former Director of Cities and Local Growth Unit in the civil service. Responding to some of the ideas present in Planning without Growth, Stephen underlined the importance of practical solutions, ideas and initiatives when it comes to planning in a market-led economy.

With this in mind, Sarah Shaw, Head of Planning at Glasgow City Council, highlighted the difference between growth and development, emphasising that planning without growth, doesn’t necessarily mean planning without development. Sarah described some of the development plans already underway in Glasgow and across Scotland, that prioritise community involvement in planning over economic growth. 

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), sets out the long-term policies and proposals for the use of land and buildings in Scotland with an outlook toward 2045. The Framework follows six spatial principles, focusing on: inclusive planning; local community health and wellbeing; compact urban growth; and encouraging sustainable development in rural areas as well as built-up urban regions. NPF4 also offers practical solutions for the implementation of these principles, emphasising intersectional strategies that don’t mean trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives. 

Sarah outlined some of the Glasgow and Scotland-wide initiatives already in place that put community at the heart of planning development. Community Asset Transfer is one of these initiatives, where community groups or voluntary organisations can take over responsibility for an asset from the local authority. This offers an alternative method of service delivery, empowering communities and offering locally responsive solutions to their needs. 

Sarah also highlighted the Local Place Plan initiative. These are community-led plans prepared by community bodies for the future development of land. Like Community Asset Transfer, Local Place Plans aim to put community needs and engagement at the centre of land development. Initiatives like these, are at the heart of Glasgow City Council’s 2024 Development Plan Scheme which intends to “create plans that are place focused to support the management of land in the long-term public interest”. 

Another panel member, Clare Symonds, Chief Officer of Planning Democracy Scotland argued that: “planning should not be looked at in isolation”, highlighting that communities have been dealing with the culminations of economic growth for some time. Post-growth planning that allows for an intersectional approach between the market economy, local communities and the environment posits not just theoretical insights, but also practical solutions to sole market-led economic development. 

UK-wide planning and infrastructure policy does not seem to move quickly, and in a context where economy led planning and development is the dominant model, it remains to be seen whether community led initiatives, and the ideas posed in Planning without Growth will take shape in national planning policy. Prof. Rydin acknowledged, however, that Scotland is ahead of England when it comes to community-led planning initiatives, moving towards a more diverse model of development. 

Planning without Growth by Professor Yvonne Rydin is available to subscribers upon request from The Knowledge Exchange database.  

By Libby Scott