Our Mission

We are a charity, a learned society and an international membership organisation.

Our object, incorporated in our Charter, is to advance the science and art of planning (including town and country and spatial planning) for the benefit of the public.
 
We champion the role of spatial planning - planning which gives people a real say in shaping the places where they live and work – and ensure that creating inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable places is at the heart of everything we do.

 Who we are and what we do:


  • The RTPI is the professional institute for the planning profession and supports the work of chartered planners engaged in creating the kinds of places where people want to live, work, relax and invest, and in improving places by helping them to function better economically, socially and environmentally.
  • The RTPI is the largest of the European and Commonwealth Institutes for the planning profession with 23,000 members in 80 countries across the globe, and more than 100 years' experience in leading and developing planning professionals. Our members are drawn from a wide range of roles in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors where the value of planning expertise is recognised and increasingly reflect the diversity of the communities with which they work. The RTPI works collaboratively with sister Institutes across the world to promote planning.
  • The RTPI supports the development of a learned and reflective membership through accreditation of planning education, setting professional and ethical standards, and providing a programme of support for professional development. It publishes the international journal, Planning Theory and Practice, The Planner magazine and the RTPI Book Series. Its chartered planner qualification is recognised worldwide as a benchmark for knowledge and probity. The RTPI is a member of the Academy of Social Sciences.
  • The RTPI is a key influencer with national governments and external stakeholders, publishing respected policy papers, championing the profession and campaigning for better planning. The RTPI funds a range of research projects, including its SPIRE programme, to increase the evidence base of spatial planning and linking spatial planning theory with planning practice. As part of this work, it has developed a comprehensive research programme on the value of planning. The RTPI works with a wide range of partners to promote and celebrate excellence in planning.
  • The RTPI has provided support for disadvantaged and hard to reach communities through its support for Planning Aid services for more than 40 years.
  • The RTPI has a well respected governance structure and is recognised for best practice in promoting opportunities for members to play an active role in the Institute's affairs, and working effectively in partnership with other organisations both in the UK and internationally.