On the 21st and 22nd of October two members of our Midlands Planning Team, Frances Keenan and Annabelle Parkinson, represented Carter Jonas at the RTPI’s Young Planners’ Conference, which was held in Milton Keynes. The conference focussed on the theme of ‘Utopia and Dystopia’, which was explored through a series of talks, interactive panel sessions and study tours, with speakers from a mix of political, development, public sector, educational and voluntary backgrounds. 

Highlights for Frances and Annabelle included the ‘Blue and Green Infrastructure and Development’ study tour of Campbell Park, a Grade II listed linear park in the centre of the city; and the ‘Upwards or Outwards’ interactive panel session, which explored the benefits and drawbacks of intensification and urban extensions. 

We would like to thank the Thames Valley Young Planners Committee for hosting and look forward to next year’s conference, which will be held in Birmingham on 13th and 14th October 2023. The conference will explore the theme of ‘Planning for Legacy’ following the 2022 Commonwealth Games.