National Outcomes: planning and architecture contribution

We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

Planning plays a vital role in supporting the economy and attracting investment by creating confidence and certainty for the development sector.  NPF4 will capitalise on opportunities for alignment with ongoing work on infrastructure, including the new Scottish National Investment Bank, the Infrastructure Commission, the Infrastructure Investment Plan, the Infrastructure Delivery Group, the National Transport Strategy and the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

NPF4 will ensure Scotland’s place in the world is planned for, for example supporting the development of key routes and gateways.  It will place a greater emphasis on international planning. Building on our international links in spatial planning, there is scope for NPF4 to look beyond our boundaries and consider future connectivity, markets and investment so that we can respond to both Brexit and wider global change over the long term.

We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

Planning has a crucial role to play in reducing inequalities by ensuring everyone lives in good quality places that support quality of life.  Our digital transformation programme will enable more strategic connections to identify priorities for investment to address inequality, and our new Planning Act is enhancing opportunities for people to influence those priorities.  The Place Standard is an effective tool for helping us all to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our places and reducing inequalities by helping to ensure everyone lives in good quality places that support quality of life.  We are developing this work further by engaging with diverse groups to support equality and target those living with disadvantage, specifically children and young people, older people and Gypsy/Traveller communities.

We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

Good planning and design of the built and natural environment can help ensure safe public spaces and we are strengthening local people’s involvement in planning and places, including a new right for communities to produce their own local place plans.  The fourteen focus areas of the Place Standard tool include empowerment, decision making, strength of community and opportunity. Long term resilience will also be a key theme for NPF4, with renewed focus on rural development, partly as a result of future pressure arising from Brexit.

We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential

Involvement of children and young people in planning is being strengthened through Scotland’s new Planning Act, along with clear commitments to open space and opportunities for play. The Place Standard tool, including enhanced participation tools, will further support children and young people to have an influence over the future of their places, helping to address issues such as child poverty, social isolation and wellbeing.

We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

Planning and architecture helps support the delivery of education facilities and infrastructure in line with future planned development and population growth.  We also provide support for initiatives to improve and broaden planning and design skills within the professions, particularly for young planners.

We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

Planning supports business growth and jobs by creating the right context and confidence for attracting investment.  A core value of the planning system is to help facilitate inclusive and sustainable growth, particularly the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of economic capacity and resilience within communities.

We are healthy and active

Planning and places play a crucial role in supporting health and physical activity, for example with our support for 20 Minute Neighbourhoods, greenspace, active travel and in managing access to food, food production, community growing etc.

We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

Our planning policies balance development aspirations with environmental protection and enhancement, making the most of our natural resources and responding to the climate emergency.  NPF4 will be the spatial planning response to the climate emergency, accompanied by fuller attention to climate change adaptation to ensure we have a clear plan to build longer term resilience to our changing climate.

We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

In planning our places, we support and reflect Scotland’s diverse cultures, including the historic built environment and provision of cultural facilities.

We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 is strengthening community and individuals’ involvement in decisions about the future of their places, managing the development and use of land in the long-term public interest.