Transforming Places Together: digital strategy for planning

Executive Summary

Planning in Scotland is changing

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic a package of work to transform Scotland’s planning system was underway, combining far-reaching policy reform and legislative change, a renewed focus on place-based planning and the digitalisation of planning. Together these measures will deliver a forward-looking planning system that works for everyone. The pandemic has sharpened our focus on the importance of our places and links to health and wellbeing and ensuring that planning plays a vital role in our economic and societal recovery.

This document, Scotland’s Digital Strategy for Planning, defines a long-term strategic direction for how Scotland’s planning system will digitally transform, embracing the opportunities new digital technologies and data present. It sets out what we intend to deliver, why this is needed and the benefits this transformation will bring. It evidences how we can be confident these changes will produce real improvements by targeting the things that matter most to those involved in planning. It lays the foundation for a forthcoming digital transformation programme that will start to implement the actions contained here. Working at a sectoral level to support and strengthen the ambitions of the Digital Strategy for Scotland, and position Scotland as an inclusive and outward looking digital nation.

Our Vision for Scotland to have a world leading digital planning system that helps connect people with their places to deliver a prosperous, green and fair country can only be achieved through collaboration and partnership working, with all parts of the planning system working together and building on the great work already taking place across Scotland. The Strategy establishes a framework of Five Missions, with set Goals and Priority Actions, which we believe together will digitally enable Scotland’s planning system:

• Mission 1: Unlock the value of planning data
• Mission 2: Deliver an end-to-end digital planning experience
• Mission 3: Create the conditions for digital to flourish
• Mission 4: Use digital tools to drive collaboration and engagement
• Mission 5: Embed a culture of digital innovation

To deliver these Five Missions, a 5 year programme of digital transformation will begin in spring 2021. Working with partners across the sector, the joint programme coordinated by Scottish Government will make Scotland an attractive place to invest and do business in, support new, good and green jobs and enable everyone to have the opportunity to have a say in their community.

“...these measures will deliver a forward-looking planning system that works for everyone.”