The Importance of Aligning Transport and Spatial Planning - DfT Approaches and Priorities

Join us for an insightful session with Robert Singleton and colleagues from the Department for Transport as they describe the work they have been undertaking to better align the spatial and transport planning systems to realise transformative and sustainable growth, better place making and better outcomes for communities, the environment and the economy.

Who Should Attend?

Built environment professionals from both the public and private sector involved in spatial or transport planning

What You’ll Learn

We will be providing a high-level whistle stop tour of key concepts and the direction of travel for new Government Policies designed to better align the spatial and transport planning systems with a specific focus on the concept of vision-led transport planning and its role in shifting the dial on how we plan for development.

What is Vision-led transport planning and why is it important: Breaking the cycle of induced demand-transport planning
The importance of linking Transport and Housing: Understanding the role of DfT's Housing and Transport Team and the emergence of Platform 4.
The importance of good place-making, the role of design and the Manual for Streets: See the direction of travel for an updated Manual for Streets and how it should be applied.
Gain insight into the Better Connected - A Strategy for Integrated Transport: A whistlestop tour of the Government's vision to make domestic travel work well for people.

Robert Singleton FCIHT MRTPI: Head of Planning and Head of the Planning Professions

Robert Singleton is Head of Planning at the Department for Transport, where he leads work on integrating transport, land-use planning and sustainable connectivity. He plays a key role in developing national planning policy and national tools and evidence that help planners understand how well places connect people to jobs, services and everyday destinations. Robert is the Head of the Spatial and Transport Planning Professions at DfT and its Arm’s Length Bodies creating the first Spatial, Transport and Environmental Planning Professionals (STEPP) network in Whitehall

Marco Picardi MRTPI: Deputy Head of Planning

Marco is a chartered town planner working as the Deputy Head of Planning at the Department for Transport. He works across the team’s projects, collaborating closely on infrastructure, environmental and planning policy with other government departments as well as the Department’s arms-length bodies. Marco is also a visiting lecturer on urban design at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, and previously worked for the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and before that in the private sector.