New RTPI president commits to collaboration, investment and inclusivity

In her speech marking her inauguration as the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) 111th president on the 22 January, Helen Fadipe outlined three core themes for her tenure and unveiled a major public awareness campaign.

She said the following themes will work together to create a more "resilient" profession:

• greater collaboration between the built environment professions;
• targeted investment in planners and placemaking; and
• a commitment to inclusive employment practices within the profession.

Fadipe added that the pillars represent the foundation for a resilient planning profession and "meet the challenges of today while creating opportunities for tomorrow".

"Collaboration has been central to planning and to address complex challenges such as climate crisis or housing shortages, we must work collectively, building partnerships that amplify our impact. Our collective efforts are far stronger than any individual approach".

Fadipe also recalled her journey from a childhood in Nigeria through a fashion design course into local authority planning in England, and announced three new initiatives from the RTPI:

• the RTPI will launch a major awareness campaign in 2025 - Fadipe will spearhead an ambitious public awareness campaign to shift the narrative surrounding the planning profession which will be launched on World Town Planning Day (8 November);
• expansion of the RTPI's pilot mentoring platform NURTURE - the scheme will be available to all members, anywhere in the world;
• 23 planning schools are joining the British Chamber of Commerce Planning Scholarship Scheme - the scheme, designed by the RTPI, will provide full-fee offers for students enrolling in planning courses at RTPI-accredited universities.

Fadipe commented: "I want to ensure that planning is seen as an attractive, rewarding career path for young people. This means advocating for better pay, recognition, and support for planners at all stages of their careers".

"When we invest in our planners, we are not just investing in individuals, we are investing in the future of communities across the country and internationally. We need to make planning a career that draws the brightest minds and the most passionate hearts, knowing they will be valued and rewarded for their contributions".

Before the handover to Fadipe, outgoing president Lindsey Richards remarked on the growth of prominence of planning under a new government and declared it an honour and privilege to have served as president.

Richards said: "This year, I have visited waste disposal plants, solar farms, city parks, numerous building sites".

"I’ve talked with dinosaurs, participated in ministerial roundtables, attended and spoken at many conferences, including many of those organised by our volunteers. I visited the width and breadth of the UK and Ireland, and made visits to many, many planning schools".

"This has demonstrated that we have the best planning schools with the best academics and teaching staff and the best students who are our pipeline of our future planning profession".