Crowdfunding initiative awarded RTPI Silver Jubilee Cup
A pioneering community infrastructure initiative that embraces crowdfunding technology has taken the top prize at the RTPI’s 2019 Awards for Planning Excellence ceremony, which took place in London this week (24 April).
In embracing online crowdfunding technology, the judges found City Change Fund has established a “genuinely citizen-led decision-making approach” for how funds for community infrastructure raised by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) were distributed.
Sadie Morgan, design industry leader and chair of the judging panel, said: “This is a unique and groundbreaking initiative. Plymouth Council went beyond simple community engagement into community involvement by empowering the local community to be proactive and invest with them in the City Change Fund from its inception.
“The project is a great example of the power of technology and how it can bring people and resources together more quickly than ever before. It will be exciting to see how this will continue to advance and the impacts it will have on planning in the future, as this is an approach that can be replicated globally to mobilise community development and supplement local authority funding in straightened times.”
The council has used the Crowdfunder UK website to distribute the ‘neighbourhood portion’ of the CIL towards local projects that are led and supported by the citizens of Plymouth.
The use of a digital platform has increased the visibility and success of projects that receive funding, the council says. It has engaged thousands of residents in local projects, including improvements to local green space and a sonic art silent disco.
Rebecca Miller, city planning manager at Plymouth City Council, said: “To me, this project is an incredible example of how a council project can make a massive difference to hundreds of people. From the moment we set it up, we were blown away by the ideas, innovation and passion people had for projects designed to make Plymouth an even better place to be.
“A city is not just about buildings, roads and services. It is about the people who live here and how they feel about Plymouth. The fact this funding comes from developments across the city means residents are benefiting from growth. We are engaging with community groups and residents in a whole new way. It is helping to galvanise people who have incredible ideas and drive – to make things happen!”
Ian Tant MRTPI, president of the RTPI, said: “Huge congratulations to Plymouth City Council and all those who won or were commended at the awards. The range of submissions this year was just tremendous and truly reflected the outstanding contribution that planning and planners make to successful places, sustainable environments, and lively, healthy communities.
“Nothing speaks up for planning so well as the great work showcased by our winning, commended and short-listed projects, teams and people.”
The awards also saw Jenna Langford, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, named Young Planner of the Year. She is a senior regeneration officer for the council. Last year, she won the Young Planner of the Year award at the West Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence.
The headline sponsors of the 2019 awards are engineering firm AECOM and real estate service provider Savills.
The winners of the 2019 RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are:
Excellence in Plan Making Practice
Winner: Wandle Vistas
Submitted by: Fiona Fyfe Associates
Commended: East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018
Submitted by: East Lothian Council Planning Service
Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy
Winner: Spanish City
Submitted by: North Tyneside Council
Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing
Winner: Cuningar Loop Urban Woodland Park
Submitted by: South Lanarkshire Council
Commended: Tackling Health Inequalities in South Worcestershire: an holistic approach
Submitted by: Worcestershire County Council
Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture
Winner: Spanish City
Submitted by: North Tyneside Council
Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment
Winner: Stirling Enhanced Landscape Mitigation Project
Submitted by: Ironside Farrar Ltd and Scottish Power Energy Networks
Excellence in Planning for Homes – small schemes
Winner: PLACE/Ladywell
Submitted by: London Borough of Lewisham
Commended: Burlingham Square
Submitted by: Matthews City and Country Homes
Excellence in Planning for Homes – large schemes
Winner: Dargavel Village
Submitted by: Renfrewshire Council
Commended: Castleward Urban Village redevelopment
Submitted by: HTA Design LLP
Excellence in Planning for Tech Within Planning Practice
Winner: City Change Fund
Submitted by: Plymouth City Council
Commended: Drones in Coastal Management Planning in North Norfolk
Submitted by: NPS Group
International Award for Planning Excellence
Winner: Ibadan City Masterplan
Submitted by: DAR
Commended: Development Plan of Jinjiang Dream Town for Talents
Submitted by: Wei Yang + Partners
Commended: Plan your Brisbane
Submitted by: Brisbane City Council
In-house Planning Team of the Year
Winner: Sport England
Commended: Natural Power Consultants
Local Authority Planning Team of the Year
Winner: London Borough of Brent
Commended: Aylesbury Vale District Council
Small Planning Consultancy
Winner: NTR Planning
Planning Consultancy
Winner: LUC
Commended: Nexus Planning Limited
Young Planner of the Year
Winner: Jenna Langford, Sandwell MBC
Commended: Ailsa Anderson, Aberdeenshire Council and Charlotte Morphet, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Image credit (top) | Plymouth City Council
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