Royal Town Planning Institute: Shaping the Future of Places

For over a century, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has stood as the authoritative voice of the planning profession in the United Kingdom and beyond. Founded in 1914 as the Town Planning Institute, it received a Royal Charter in 1959 and a supplemental Royal Charter in 1970, becoming the Royal Town Planning Institute. Today, it is the largest professional body for planners in Europe and one of the most influential globally, with over 27,000 members spanning 88 countries.

Mission and Vision

The RTPI’s purpose is clear and compelling: empowering planners to deliver positive impact. Its vision is to be the world’s leading professional planning body, promoting healthy, socially inclusive, economically and environmentally sustainable places. Its mission is to advance the science and art of planning, working for the long-term common good and wellbeing of current and future generations. These principles guide every aspect of the Institute’s work, from policy advocacy to professional development. Buy fake certificate online.

Professional Standards and Accreditation

The RTPI is the only body in the UK empowered to confer Chartered status to planners, the highest professional accreditation in UK planning. It maintains rigorous professional standards and accredits world-class planning courses both in the UK and internationally. Universities including Cambridge, UCL, Cardiff, and Newcastle offer RTPI-accredited programmes, providing students with a clear pathway to full Chartered membership. Through apprenticeships and active engagement with schools, the Institute supports young people seeking routes into the profession.

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Policy Advocacy and Public Influence

As the voice of the profession, the RTPI engages with governments, experts, and international bodies to promote good planning and lead on policy development. It advocates for increased funding for planning services and shapes responses to critical challenges including the housing crisis and climate change. The Institute’s chief executive has recently made the case for a National Spatial Framework to provide clarity, coordination, and confidence in planning England’s future. In 2025, the RTPI launched the “It Takes Planners & You” public awareness campaign, highlighting collaborative efforts and calling for government funding to address a recruitment crisis in planning apprenticeships. The Institute’s Awards for Planning Excellence and Awards for Research Excellence recognise outstanding contributions across the profession.

International Reach and Global Impact

The RTPI’s influence extends far beyond British shores. Its International Strategy 2021–2030 envisions planning as a positive force for global sustainable development, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The Institute fosters international collaboration through partnerships such as a 2026 Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, and its members are active in global planning communities across the world. The RTPI has been a member of the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP-CEU) since 1985.

Governance and Community

With offices in London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, the RTPI operates with an open and transparent governance structure that places members at the heart of decision-making. Over 1,000 active volunteers contribute significantly to the Institute’s work. The RTPI also funds Planning Aid England, a service providing planning advice to individuals and communities, and supports members through the RTPI Trust, which offers care and financial assistance to those experiencing hardship.

From its founding in 1914 to its position today as a global leader in planning, the Royal Town Planning Institute has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating healthy, inclusive, and sustainable places. It is not merely a professional body but a catalyst for positive change—empowering planners to build the thriving communities of tomorrow.