The new Engagement Overlay provides a standardised approach and baseline for architects and other built environment professionals to enhance the quality of engagement with all stakeholders, and to create capacity for public participation beyond traditional methods of solely informing and consulting.

“As pioneers of collaborative placemaking over 30 years, JTP welcome the new RIBA guidance and looks forward to architects and built environment designers embracing the concepts and practices to ensure broader and meaningful engagement to create stronger, healthier and more sustainable places and communities.”

– Charles Campion, Partner, JTP

Community and stakeholder engagement has become a key part of the place planning process in the UK. This shift towards more inclusive and participatory planning is evident in several policy documents and planning practices.

The launch began with JTP’s collaborative placemaking partner Charles Campion, welcoming everyone to the JTP Studio and introducing Sarah Jones-Morris, Co-CEO, Association of Collaborative Design (ACD), who chaired the event. Sarah started with a presentation about the purpose and contents of the Engagement Overlay and then facilitated the panel discussion and Q&A. The panellists were: Lynne Ceeney, Director of Environmental Sustainability, Hertfordshire County Council; Vanessa Gregory, Look St Albans – Community Voice on Design; Alister Kratt, Director, LDA Design; and, Dian Small, Director, RIBA London Region.

The panel discussion identified the following essential for quality engagement:

– Curiosity – be curious about what a client wants and what they need, about the voices that are heard and need to be heard during engagement activities, and about the make-up of the workforce who is facilitating engagement;

– Authenticity – be clear, use the right methods for the context within which you are operating, manage expectations and treat everyone as if they are entitled and welcome to participate;

– Transparency – be open and transparent and feedback to communities throughout every stage of the engagement process; and

– Collaboration – build communities of trust that evolve over time and anchor projects with principles that everyone can follow and understand.

The panel session ended on agreement that a ‘good engagement should be evaluated against the three Fs: it should be fun, friendly and fruitful!

Background to the Engagement Overlay

Community and stakeholder engagement has become a key part of the place planning process in the UK. This shift towards more inclusive and participatory planning is evident in several policy documents and planning practices, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which emphasises the importance of early and meaningful engagement with the community and stakeholders in the planning process.

The Engagement Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, published in January 2024, is the product of a collaborative effort involving the ACD, RIBA, The Landscape Institute and Sustrans, along with insights from many other industry organisations and practitioners.

“It is great to see practical advice on when, how and who to engage within local communities when developing a project through the RIBA stages. Proactive, productive, and proportionate community engagement is critical, to help built environment professionals develop the great places of tomorrow.”

– Sarah James, MRTPI, Regeneration & Place, Warwickshire County Council

The Engagement Overlay provides a standardised approach and baseline for architects and other built environment professionals to enhance the quality of engagement with all stakeholders and to create capacity for public participation beyond traditional methods of solely informing and consulting. It provides the mechanisms and structure for facilitating early, effective, and proportionate engagement throughout all work stages, while adhering to the existing RIBA Plan of Work framework.

The Engagement Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work can be found below: