Two AECOM projects have been named finalists at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2019. The Derby Aerospace Campus Masterplan is shortlisted in the ‘excellence in planning for a successful economy’ category and the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement project is a finalist in the ‘excellence in tech within planning’ category.

Working with Highways England, AECOM combined immersive and acoustic technologies for the consultation stage of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down improvement project. This cutting-edge use of virtual reality and sound demonstrations enabled clear communication of the proposed improvements and their environmental impacts to the public and stakeholders.

Through its work on the Derby Aerospace Campus Masterplan, AECOM has been helping Rolls-Royce to transform an aging industrial facility into a green R&D and office hub. A multi-disciplinary team has worked to define the vision and, having secured a planning consent, on the delivery of a project that reaffirms Rolls-Royce’s place at the heart of the local and UK economy.

Sarah Elliott, UK and Ireland Town Planning Lead, AECOM, said: “To have two projects shortlisted in different categories at the RTPI awards is wonderful recognition for our multidisciplinary teams that provide a diverse range of planning and consulting services to support the delivery of quality place making and transformative infrastructure.”

RTPI President Ian Tant MRTPI said: “Many congratulations to all this year’s finalists, who demonstrate outstanding contributions to planning, producing a positive effect on our communities, the economy and the environment. They have shown how planners can use their passion and skills to meet needs, deliver high quality design and tackle environmental challenges – they should all be proud of their role as a force for good in society.”

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society. The winners will be announced during a ceremony held at Milton Court Concert Hall in central London on 24 April 2019.