Infrastructure Planning in England: A Study of Local Practice

Abstract

Infrastructure planning is viewed internationally and domestically as the keywhich unlocks balanced and sustainable economic growth. The emphasisamongst politicians, economists and planning academics has, so far, been uponinfrastructure planning of national significance and examining the political,financial and environmental impact of mega projects. However, majorinfrastructure projects invariably take considerable time to deliver and anypositive effects can only be derived in the longer term. Infrastructure planningas practiced within the local planning system has, so far, been overlooked orconsidered of limited interest in the context of immediate national economicconcerns but understanding capacity and capability for effective and integratedinfrastructure delivery at the local level is an important part of the equation.Through a national survey of planners and interviews with key deliverystakeholders in the north west this study has investigated infrastructureplanning in local planning practice across England. The findings provideevidence that local practitioners in the public, non profit and business sectorsare becoming increasingly adept at identifying local and regional infrastructureneeds, co operating on an inter-sectoral basis and ensuring that existingresources are utilised to best effect in their day to day practice. This untappedwealth of local knowledge, skill and expertise has great potential to complementand inform national infrastructure planning decisions and play an important partin stimulating economic recovery.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Mark Baker (Supervisor) & Stephen Hincks (Supervisor)