The distribution of power among stakeholders involved in the planning process differs under varying economic and political conditions. Our interdisciplinary investigation takes into account perspectives from real estate, policy making and negotiation, initially focusing on a relevant sample of Scottish cities and towns. Alongside this, we also investigate the immediate and lasting impact of Covid-19 on socio-economic activities, as recent events have highlighted the need to understand how our planning systems can both assist with the post-pandemic recovery and contribute to sustainable growth.
Additionally, there is also scope for the project to be developed in a wider context by contributing to a scenario where the outcomes of planning decisions have a long-term impact on the economic and social buoyancy of local communities, the health and well-being of households and our built environment.