The RTPI has launched a major new initiative calling for a debate on five key questions relating to the benefits of having a Map for England to plan infrastructure and services and to enable decision makers at the local level to make more informed policy choices.
RTPI writes
New research commissioned by the RTPI from Manchester University shows that individual government departments now have more than 100 major maps for England relating to policies and programmes on the economy, transport, communications, housing and the environment. None are available in one place or through a single data source and can be very difficult to find as they are scattered across web sites and within departmental reports.
We believe that with a Map for England policy makers could make better judgments about how individual policy proposals interact with and affect development of the country as a whole. Such an initiative would also increase consistency in the appraisal of policy, improve security and resilience, and provide a better understanding of sectoral issues that might complement or conflict with each other.
A Map for England would also help to meet the pledge in the Coalition Agreement that data published by public bodies is done so in an open and standardised format.
We are encouraging our stakeholders and partners to send us their views on 5 key questions about the initiative.
The questions and a copy of the study can be found at: www.mapforengland.co.uk
RTPI Article: LINK
