Creating a sense of control through digital planning

The use of digital tools in community engagement to improve the planning process in local authorities is still in its infancy, but it is a growing trend.

Digital tools have the potential to enhance public engagement, streamline planning processes and integrate community feedback into development decisions, setting a precedent for effective and inclusive urban planning. But it is not without its complications, particularly around resourcing and cost.

This report highlights three projects – in Bolsover, Camden and Newquay – that have used digital tools to enhance engagement with their communities. Two of the projects have benefited from funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) Proptech programme, which has sought to expedite learning in the sector, with significant financial support for local authorities to pilot innovative digital engagement tools.

This report explores what we can learn from these innovative projects and how learning can be applied more widely across the sector.

This report was produced by the Quality of Life Foundation, led by a team whose expertise continues today through Quality of Life Futures.