This paper reflects on the current prospects for planning history research, as well as the author's recent activity regarding archives of key planning institutions, past and present. This has included attempting to make accessible, find homes for, and promote interest in archives of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Housing Centre Trust and the Building Research Establishment.
The paper reflects on recent publications and discussions of other key stakeholders, including on the work of Gordon Cherry, author of the only history of the RTPI. The recent 40th anniversary special issue of Planning Perspectives (41:1), the first solely planning history focussed academic journal, makes for a timely anchor.
The paper shares particular challenges facing planning history, as well as areas of opportunity. Challenges identified include the further prioritisation of funding to research which is likely to impact on societal challenges. Opportunities include the contemporary interest in archives, documentation and objectivity within concerns around post-truth politics and the widespread concern about 'misinformation'.
The paper concludes by sharing ambitions and initiatives for cross-sector linkage around the history of the built environment.