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How planning and a sense of place have inspired the arts in the North East

Event hosted by The Royal Town Planning Institute

How planning and a sense of place have inspired the arts in the North East image
View towards Newcastle City Centre from Byker Estate, early 2000s ©Lambton Visual Aids (The AmberSide Trust)

How planning and a sense of place have inspired the arts in the North East

Events

Farrell Centre, Newcastle

09 November 2026

Planning, place and creative inspiration                                                            

Planning shapes places, but how do places shape creativity?  

To celebrate World Planning Day, join us for a unique evening exploring the relationship between planning, place and the arts.

Bringing together voices from across the region's creative community, this event will examine how the North East's people, places and landscapes have inspired artistic expression, storytelling and cultural identity.

Through film, photography, music and discussion, you'll gain a fresh perspective on the role that place plays in shaping creativity—and how creativity, in turn, helps us understand and celebrate the places around us.

What to expect:

The evening will be chaired by by Alastair Welch, RTPI regional chair and we're delighted to be also joined by, 

The Side / Amber Film & Photography Collective - Ellen Stone
A presentation and discussion exploring the collective's work and its connection to place, followed by an audience question and answer session. 

Paul Smith (Maximo Park)
An interview-style conversation with Paul, exploring the influence of the North East and its places on music and creativity.

Whether you're a planner, student, built environment professional, or simply interested in the North East and it's rich cultural heritage, this promises to be an inspiring and thought provoking evening. 

Alongside the talks, there'll be plenty of opportunity to network with planners, students and professionals from across the region in a relaxed and informal setting.  A welcome drink will be provided. 

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.