My first meeting with Mayor Boris

Ireland 14: England 12…………… and 2 more England yellow cards!

Nonetheless we had a lovely weekend and Ireland is the only side unbeaten with the potential to win the 6 Nations Rugby Trophy 2009 so we will support them in their remaining matches.

Back to the RTPI, the first event I attended on your behalf was the London Planning Awards where for the first time I met London Mayor Boris Johnson. He was extremely funny introducing City Hall as one of the worst buildings in London with an impossible interior then having to give an award to the developer of the site next to it thus demonstrating his impartiality and lack of influence over the judging process! I spoke briefly with him and Sir Simon Molton his planning advisor where they both explained that one of the most enjoyable aspects of their jobs was a two hour weekly session to review planning applications submitted to them. The Mayor has a genuine interest in the impact of planning on the lives of Londoners and we should find a way of engaging him again.

The Mayors Award, reflected the RTPI Planning Awards Silver Jubilee Cup winner went to the Channel Tunnel Rail link and other awards included a beautiful garden in South London bringing peace and tranquillity to a difficult area – quite delightful. The Awards allows the RTPI to stand alongside others in promoting high quality and sustainable development in the Capital city. Afterwards at the awards drinks reception on the 9th floor we enjoyed wonderful views across the River to Tower Bridge and beyond, which was an enjoyable experience with other built environment professionals from London.

I also ended up doing a small piece for the Guardian Arts section (published on 3rd March) owing to the excellent network of our new(ish) Marketing Team led by Tino Hernandez, but this time following a link through Sophie Stapleton our New Zealand Communications Manager (best not to talk about rugby!) She persuaded a Guardian journalist to send me to the Le Corbusier Exhibition at The Barbican Art Gallery and then interview me regarding my impressions of it as a Town Planner. The interview was then turned into a first person piece and although a little journalistic licence was used by the journalist, it reflected my views well. I was always aware of the Le Corbusier foundation for the delightful two storey, white, flat roofed dwelling design from the 1930’s but was not so aware of his master planning work in places as far afield as Marseille and India. Also, for me with my interest in art (my Paternal Great Grandfather was a 19/20th century engraver) his pictures and tapestries were full of colour and life. If you want to read the article the click here.

Martin Willey
2009 President