Housing: Rationale

The use of planning as a context for Citizenship within Geography has many strengths. The planning process is unique in that public engagement is a statutory requirement and any citizen has a right to express a view on any development.

How much stronger these discussions will be if they are informed by a critique of geographical information and thinking. The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) goes on to state When preparing plans, local authorities actively encourage public participation and involvement. How much richer we will all be if these discussions include reasoned and rational judgements presented by young people.

Housing - block of flats Geography classrooms can help prepare students for such public engagement, and demonstrate their current and potential role in informing (and being) decision takers. The RTPI conclude, Most planning decisions are made by local councillors elected through the democratic process, making planning an ideal vehicle to illustrate citizenship. The greater the involvement, the closer we are to democratic decisions.

You can download the full RTPI manual by clicking on the logo below. The document is large: 74 pages long and 1.5MG.

Go to Lesson 1

Downloads

Housing Rationale and NC References (, 42 KB)
RTPI manual for Education for Sustainable Development (, 1.4 MB)