Janet Askew is a former President of the RTPI and also a former President of the European Council of Spatial Planners.
I am often asked how and why it is valuable to exchange approaches to planning in different countries. How can this be relevant to the challenges we are facing in the UK? My answer is simple. Planners across Europe are challenged by similar issues - climate change, resilience, housing affordability, urban sprawl, nature depletion, heritage conservation. Neo-liberalism has brought about demands for de-regulation, and planning reform is high on the agenda of European policy-makers, professionals and governments. The strength of the planning profession is its recognition that the main problems of the 21st century are ubiquitous to all countries.
Bringing all this together, the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP-CEU) is the umbrella organisation that represents planners across Europe. A great opportunity awaits you if you have a keen interest in international planning - you can apply to be the RTPI’s delegate to the ECTP-CEU.
It is an exciting time to belong to this auspicious organisation. It is the 40th anniversary in 2025. In Amsterdam in 1985, the RTPI, along with Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy, signed an agreement to form an organisation to represent all the planners from the (46) countries of the Council of Europe. The aim of the ECTP-CEU is to ensure that planners adhere to a similar set of principles which underpin our profession – in education as well as practice. The ambition is to promote the role of planning in creating better places and good outcomes for all.
Janet Askew represents ECTP-CEU at a meeting of the Davos Baukultur Alliance at the World Economic Forum in Geneva (Photo © Marc Bader, WEF))
Meeting in some of Europe’s most beautiful buildings (Malta) © Janet Askew
What does the ECTP-CEU achieve?
The ECTP-CEU works hard to recruit members. Even in response to requests, it assists with the setting up of an association for professional planners where one has never existed. The ECTP-CEU advocates for planning as a separate profession, not as an adjunct to other professions, which starts with the education of planners and a common framework of competences and subjects for study.
There are two charters to guide this:
- The Charter of European Planning which lays out the main principles of planning
- The Charter of Participatory Democracy outlines the importance of democracy in our professions and how to involve citizens in decision-making
Manifestos are published on various issues, the production of which encourages all members to contribute ideas for more discussion and their expertise on subjects such as:
- The value of planning
- The re-building of Ukraine
- The New European Urban Agenda
- Migration and inclusion
- Internal matters such as biennales and awards, sponsorship
- Qualification frameworks
All activities are spread across Europe – conferences and general assemblies are held twice a year in different countries. Delegates are encouraged to present case studies of good practice to stimulate discussion, and to date, RTPI planners have been very active in this work.
A previous meeting took place in the beautiful city of Ljubljana, Slovenia (© Janet Askew)
Former RTPI President Vincent Goodstadt addresses the general assembly in Ljubljana’s city chamber (© Janet Askew)
Working with others to promote our profession
Working in concert with other relevant organisations in Europe is important to disseminate the work of planners. The voice of planners is heard more loudly when planners are involved in decision-making across European institutions such as the Council of Europe; EU; World Economic Forum; UN-Habitat; Global Planners’ Network; other professions: ACE, IFLA, Europa Nostra, ISOCARP and so on. I currently represent the ECTP-CEU on a committee of the World Economic Forum which aims to achieve more sustainable and better designed built environments. Having a voice there ensures that planning is integrated into global policy.
I was the president of the ECTP-CEU for two years and it has been a huge privilege to represent the RTPI in Europe, especially after the UK’s departure from the EU. There are many opportunities in the ECTP-CEU to engage with international approaches to planning, different cultures, societal and economic approaches and the chance to acquire skills and knowledge which will help us all in promoting planning in the UK.
Interested in getting involved?
If you think you have the time and commitment for this project, please take a look at this fantastic opportunity for two Chartered Members to become the next RTPI delegates for the ECTP-CEU. You would be joining a committed group of planners who want to see the best for Europe.
