People Awards
All People Awards have now closed for entry.
Planning Consultancy of the Year
Small Planning Consultancy of the Year
Planning Consultant of the Year
Entry category is determined by the size of the consultancy. For the purposes of this award scheme, a Small Planning Consultancy is defined as a practice employing no more than 10 chartered town planners. A ‘Planning Consultant’ is defined as a chartered town planner who is the sole fee-earner in the practice.
Eligibility
The consultancy must have:
- At least one chartered town planner (MRTPI or FRTPI) who is a principal, partner, director or in permanent employment (including self-employment) at 31 May 2011.
- A permanent trading address in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man at 31 May 2011.
Criteria
To merit an award, entrants must be able to demonstrate exemplary good practice in planning consultancy. Entries will be assessed on the basis of evidence of the consultancy’s capacity to provide high-quality planning services, its contribution to the development of sound professional planning practice and its track record in implementation as demonstrated in up to four specific projects. It is for entrants to decide whether to submit projects that reflect the breadth of their work or that focus on a particular area of expertise.
The following criteria will be taken into account and should be specifically addressed wherever relevant in entry submissions
- The development and application of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve high-quality and imaginative planning solutions which promote sustainable development and equity;
- Achievement of exemplary standards in established or mature areas of work;
Influence and standing within the planning profession and the public, private and community organisations that it serves; - Client satisfaction in terms of the service provided. Relevant factors may include timeliness, flexibility, ability to respond imaginatively to a brief, quality of presentation and communication and the value added to projects through the appointment of consultants;
- The ability of chartered town planners to manage multi-disciplinary projects or to work within a multi-disciplinary environment;
- A commitment to professional ethics;
- A commitment to professional and business development extending beyond the immediate requirements of particular clients. An important dimension of this is the value placed on research and knowledge and underpinning practice and evidence of reflective learning. Relevant factors may include staff development, training and quality assurance certification.
- A commitment to participation in professional and educational activities and the long-term development of the planning profession. Relevant factors may include representation on official or voluntary bodies, involvement in Planning Aid, links with educational institutions and participation in the affairs of professional bodies.
Judges may also take into account a consultancy’s work in relation to particular categories in the RTPI Planning Awards including work in relation to climate change, proposals to reduce energy use and emissions, equality and diversity, community planning and engagement. Evidence of achievement in these areas may be addressed both in general statements about the consultancy and through material on up to four specific projects. In addition to the entry material submitted, assessment will also be based on feedback from clients and other referees on the performance record of shortlisted consultancies.
How to Enter
There are three elements to the submission - a general statement, details of four projects and the names of three referees:
1. General statement: A summary of no more than 500 words explaining the consultancy’s approach, its capacity to undertake planning and related work, its planning experience and its commitment to improved planning practice. It is essential that the summary explains how the entry fulfils the judging criteria. The summary should detail, as of 31 May 2011:
- The total number of staff employed in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
- The number of staff employed in the planning team (if different).
- The number of chartered town planners (MRTPI or FRTPI) employed, specifying whether these are full-time, part-time or advisory.
Where appropriate, please supply separate figures for staff employed outside the areas mentioned above. This general statement should be uploaded during the online entry process.
2. Project details: Description of four specific projects on which significant consultancy input has been required during the eligibility period ending 31 December 2011. These summaries should consist of no more than 300 words. The judges recognise that some projects by their nature may have long lead-in times. The RTPI wishes to promote schemes which are on the ground so they may, at their discretion, look at projects which have achieved consent/implementation and which may have been commissioned in previous years. The summaries must explain how the projects selected meet the judging criteria as appropriate. Each project summary must list the project director, the project manager and all chartered town planners involved. Colour photography, plans or other illustrations may be incorporated into the project summary text.
Please supply four copies of each project summary so that each judge can receive an original copy. These should be posted to:
FAO Kate Webster
The RTPI Planning Awards
RTPI
41 Botolph Lane
London EC3R 8DL
3. Referees: Contact details for at least three referees who have indicated their willingness to answer such questions about the consultancy’s performance as may assist the judges in their assessment. At least two of the referees must be clients for specific projects covered in the entry submission.
Names of referees should be included with your hard copy projects details and sent by post. If you wish, you may also upload these (in one document) with your general statement.
Please note that before beginning the online entry process you should have payment ready by invoice (requiring a Purchase Order) or credit card. Costs of entry are:
Planning Consultancy £150
Small Planning Consultancy £65
Planning Consultant £60
Judging
The awards will be judged by a panel of widely experienced practitioners nominated by the RTPI.
Based on written submissions, the judges will announce a shortlist in early August 2011. It is anticipated that this shortlist will including at least one Planning Consultancy, one small Planning Consultancy and one Planning Consultant. Clients and other referees will be approached for their views on the shortlisted consultancies. Referees’ responses will be treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to entrants or to other parties.
Shortlisted consultancies will be invited to make presentations to the judging panel in September 2011. The panel will not undertake site visits. All shortlisted consultancies are encouraged to attend the RTPI Planning Awards ceremony in February 2012, at which winners will be announced.
Young Planner of the Year
This award is intended to seek out and acclaim the brightest younger planners in the profession (whether in planning practice, innovation, enterprise or philosophy). If you are, or want to nominate, a professional planner who will be under the age of 35 on 31 May 2011.
Eligibility
Nominees must have been born on or after 1 January 1976, have achieved a great deal in their career when compared with their contemporaries, and promise even more for the future. At the date of entry and of presentation, nominees must be members of the Institute (either a Student, Licentiate, Technical, Associate, Chartered, Fellow or a Legal Associate).
Criteria
The judges will seek to identify younger planners who can be promoted as role models. In evaluating the candidates, the judges will take the following into account, as appropriate:
- The quality and reliability of their professional work
- The range and variety of their planning experience
- Involvement with professional institutes, associates, networks, events, outreach work or relevant voluntary activity
- Their enthusiasm and originality of approach
- Their personal and teamworking skills
- Their commitment to continuing professional development
- Most importantly, the extent to which they serve as a role model for other young professionals
How to Enter
The nomination process is online and you will need to submit the following:
- A citation of no more than 100 words from the nominator, explaining what the young planner has achieved and promises for the future (please save this document as Citation).
- A summary of no more than 400-500 words, detailing the nominee’s professional qualifications including universities attended; employment history, including posts held and dates; experience acquired in previous posts and a job description of current post. Any relevant professional or other activities outside work; hobbies and interests. (please save this document as Summary)
- A 100 word statement from the nominee, explaining how they would promote planning as a professional activity should they win (please save document as Nominee’s Statement)
- References – each nomination must include one referee who can vouch for the claims made in the submission. The referee must be different to the nominator.
Judging
Entries will be judged by a panel comprising nominees of the Institute and the publishers of Planning. Initially the judges will review all nominations, so the impact made by the initial entry material is of the utmost importance in deciding on the shortlist.
Up to ten entrants will be shortlisted and notified in August 2011; they may be approached by the judges at this point for further information. Short profiles of the candidates will appear in ‘Planning’ in September 2011 and their entry material will be placed on the Institute website at the same time. From this point all Institute members will be invited to vote for their preferred candidate electronically or by post. Based on the results of that vote, finalists will be invited to present to the judges in early November 2011. The winner will be announced at the RTPI Planning Awards ceremony in February 2012 , for which all shortlisted candidates will receive a complimentary invitation as guests of the RTPI.
The prize
The winner will receive a place at the 2012 American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference. This will include flights, accommodation and spending money. Please note the prize is not exchangeable for cash and is not transferable.
In addition, the winner will also receive a place at the Planning Summer School where he/she will be asked to give a talk on their experiences in at the APA Conference. They will also have the opportunity to speak at the annual RTPI Young Planners’ conference, held usually in October.
Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Please read the following notes before you enter your work. They provide guidance on what should be included in your entry. To download and save the entry form, click here
This award is to recognise excellence in teaching and learning in planning education during the academic year 2010/2011.
Eligibility
It is aimed at staff teaching on RTPI accredited planning courses who either individually or as a team are able to demonstrate a major contribution to planning education through teaching and learning. Examples might include:
- Innovative teaching and learning strategies
- New approaches to curriculum design and delivery
- Creative use of local and regional planning issues in teaching
- Creative use of research in support of teaching
- Inclusive and progressive widening participation strategies
- Innovative interdisciplinary teaching and learning programmes
Criteria
Submitted entries must demonstrate the following:
- Enhancement of the teaching and learning experience
- Degree of innovation and creativity
- Key issues that have been addressed or overcome
- Extent to which the achievement may serve as a model of good practice and/or is transferable to other situations
- Extent to which the achievement encourages reflection and independent thinking in students
How to enter
Please fill in the form summarising the application by Tuesday 31 May 2011. If the application has been shortlisted, you will be contacted by the judges in early August 2011 and asked to provide more evidence, normally a short report (2000 words maximum) detailing the initiative which addresses the criteria listed above and can include illustrative material and /or electronic links. The report should clearly indicate the aims and scope of the initiative, how it has been implemented, how it could be rolled out and evidence of impact on student experience.
All shortlisted consultancies are encouraged to attend the RTPI Planning Awards ceremony in February 2012, at which winners will be announced.
Employer Award for Excellence in Learning and Development
Please read the following notes before you enter your work. They provide guidance on what should be included in your entry. To download and save the entry form, click here
Eligibility
This award is open to employers of planners who have been accredited as RTPI Learning Partners and can demonstrate excellence in learning and development for their planning staff and how this learning activity is adding value to the profession, the organisation and the individuals.
Examples might include:
- Graduate development schemes
- Competency frameworks and Professional Development review schemes
- Series of training events
- E-learning programmes
- Knowledge sharing initiatives
Criteria
Submitted entries must demonstrate the following:
- The original aim on the learning and development initiative
- How the initiative has added value for the individual employees, the organisation and the profession
- How you have ensured equal access to the initiative (within reason e.g. a managers training scheme may be limited to managers but how have you ensured that all managers had access?)
How to enter
Please fill in the form summarising the application by Tuesday 31 May 2011. If the application has been shortlisted, you will be contacted by the judges in early August 2011 and asked to provide more evidence, normally a short report (2000 words maximum) detailing the initiative which addresses the criteria listed above and can include illustrative material and /or electronic links. The report should clearly indicate the aims and scope of the initiative, how it has been implemented, how it could be rolled out and evidence of impact on student experience.
All shortlisted consultancies are encouraged to attend the RTPI Planning Awards ceremony in February 2012, at which winners will be announced.
Student Award for Outstanding Achievement in Planning Education
Please read the following notes before you enter your work. They provide guidance on what should be included in your entry. To download and save the entry form, click here
Eligibility
This award will be given to an exceptional student who has achieved a high level of knowledge, skill and competence in spatial planning and has shown an in depth understanding of the complexities of planning both from theoretical and practical perspectives. Entries can be from both undergraduate and postgraduate students on RTPI accredited courses. Work submitted must be from the 2010/2011 academic year. All entries must be put forward by the Planning School and not by individual students.
Criteria
Submitted entries will need to demonstrate the following:
- An in depth understanding of spatial planning or an aspect of spatial planning
- The ability to apply theory to practice
- Be practice relevant
- Developed analytical and evaluation skills
- High quality presentation and communication skills
How to Enter
Please fill in the form summarising the application by Friday 15 July 2011. If the application has been shortlisted, you will be contacted by the judges in August/September 2011 and asked to provide more evidence, normally either a 5,000 word (maximum) report or design proposal equivalent to 5,000 words. The submissions must be from work the student has produced as part of the accredited course rather than a bespoke piece of work produced for this competition. The permission of the student must be sought by the Planning School prior to submitting the work and the assessment requirements and brief that the student was given must be supplied.