INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 28
THE DAWN OF TECHNOLOGY –
WILL LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES BE
LEFT BEHIND?
Oliver Joslin, Planning Assistant, looks into the potential for greater use of
technology within planning.
In the same way that technology continues to seamlessly shape
our lives, it is inevitably shaping the lives of planners also. Gone
are the days of keys sticking on a typewriter and into the days
of keys which can’t be typed quick enough. Technology provides
the means by which we can live our lives to a standard today
that those using typewriters once dreamed of. But I guess
such dreaming is what we do best; looking into the future in
anticipation of something of greater value being gained. The
21st century workplace has become inundated with technology,
and understandably so, given the pace of technological
innovations and advancements. Productivity, communication,
and interconnectivity are a few of the many beneficiaries. It is
difficult to imagine areas of society in which technology does
not exist. And yet, components of the planning industry would
indicate otherwise.
Whilst the discontent brought about by the COVID 19
pandemic and its associated impacts continue to reign true
today, for planning it is considered that such a cloud may have
a silver lining. The imposed lockdowns and social distancing
measures have inadvertently achieved great strides towards the
engagement of technology within planning practice, providing
the means by which the legitimisation of digital engagement
can occur; for example, the emergence of methods such as
virtual planning committees.
Digital communication has also enabled time and cost saving
in relation to public involvement in the planning process and
notably, its potential for increased engagement. A late 2020 study
conducted by the RTPI found that the pandemic facilitated a rise
of 50% towards the significance placed on digital engagement,
standing at 92% post pandemic as opposed to 64% prior. Within
the same study, however, 73% of professionals noted that their
team lacked the skills and tools necessary to effectively deliver
digital consultation. Apparent, is the technological disparity
which exists between the private and public sector; there is