Town and Country Planning Association TCPA
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) campaigns for reform of the UK’s planning system to make it more responsive to people’s needs and aspirations and to promote sustainable development.
It is Britain's oldest charity concerned with planning, housing and the environment and was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1899 to promote the idea of the Garden City. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Britain led the world as an industrial nation, but its cities had suffered through industrialisation and rapid growth, with bad housing and unhealthy conditions. Garden cities were intended to provide new settlements with a surrounding agricultural belt, that had the best features of both town and country.
The TCPA now works with those involved in the development industry, the environmental movement and social justice to:
- Secure a decent, well-designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country.
- Empower people and communities to influence decisions that affect them.
- Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
It advocates:
- Fair shares in development and land value uplift.
- Shared ownership of public open space.
- Participative and entrepreneurial local governance.
- Town and country planned together.
- Enhancement of the environment.
- The need to achieve sustainable communities.
An elected Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the TCPA and directing its policy and strategy objectives.
Membership of the TCPA can be individual, corporate or local authority. Corporate fellowship is also available by invitation from the Trustees.
In June 2015, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) launched Planning4People, which it described as a 'radical new manifesto’ to put people back at the heart of planning and emphasising social justice as a key outcome.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, TCPA Head of Policy, Dr Hugh Ellis, said:
“We all care about the quality of our lives and condition of our communities. People need decent healthcare, schools, jobs, public transport, green spaces, locally grown food, low-carbon energy, affordable homes which are accessible and have enough space for kids to play, a creative culture, vibrant sports and the arts. These are all things that make life worth living. These are the things that all sections of society should be able to enjoy as a matter of course regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. These are the foundations of the good society. These are the things that planning can, and should, make happen.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- British post-war mass housing.
- CIBSE Case Study: Garden City.
- Compact sustainable city.
- Eco Town.
- Garden cities.
- Green belt.
- Healthy Homes Act.
- Jane Jacobs and garden villages.
- Lyons Housing Review.
- Masterplanning.
- Planning4People.
- Practical guide on health in garden cities.
- Radial city plan.
- Raynsford Review.
- Royal Town Planning Institute.
- Smart cities.
- Terraced houses and the public realm.
- Town.
- Town and Country Planning Act.
- Town planning.
Featured articles and news
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.