This examines a broad range of existing government policies and how they relate to each other. It found large numbers of policies and programmes have a strong spatial aspect to them. By overlaying a number of these maps and diagrams together, the researchers demonstrated that some policies and programmes, when considered against each other in relation to different parts of the country, may have unintended consequences.
Despite an accepted need to ensure a joined up approach to planning, infrastructure and services there is no single place to view this information.
The RTPI, in conjunction with software specialists Idox, set out to see whether and how this might be achieved. The result was the commissioned study from the University of Manchester examining a broad range of existing government policies and how they relate to each other. See the study and a compendium of policies in map form.