The Digital Planning Directory, The Story So Far

By Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO, Digital Task Force for Planning

“The Digital Planning Directory was created to fill this gap and serve as the go-to, authoritative, not-for-profit resource for digital planning collaboration and innovation in the UK.”

Planning has been my life-long passion. I have always believed that planning is more than just regulation or process, it is about creating healthier homes, resilient communities, and a harmonious relationship between people, nature, and society. To realise this vision in the 21st century, planning must fully embrace the digital era, not as a technical add-on, but as an enabler of better practice, greater collaboration, and long-term public good.

Over the past decade, there has been no shortage of innovation in digital tools, platforms, and approaches. Yet, I consistently heard the same challenges from colleagues in local government, industry, and academia: How do we know which solutions are out there? How can we trust their quality? How do we find the right partner at the right time? 

Evidently, something was missing, a catalyst, an enabling vehicle to bring the ecosystem together. The Digital Planning Directory was created to fill this gap and serve as the go-to, authoritative, not-for-profit resource for digital planning collaboration and innovation in the UK.

The aim is not simply to list providers or promote individual businesses, but to serve as a voice and act as a catalyst for the sector, advancing digital planning innovation, collaboration, and integration into mainstream planning practice for the benefit of communities and the wider planning system.

With the support of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), we were able to bring this idea to life. After extensive collaboration, engagement, and testing, the Directory was launched in January 2025. From the very start, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Ten months on from its launch, now the Directory is being used by more than 34,000 practitioners, having grown to 130 case studies, and 120 digital service providers. Together, these providers span critical areas such as GIS, AI, digital twins, visualisation, community engagement, and environmental services. The Directory has gone a step further, launching the Procurement Resource Hub to help authorities and digital service providers effectively streamline procurement and innovate planning services.

Over this short time-span, we have also engaged directly with 1,500 stakeholders through workshops, exhibitions, and events, fostering shared learning across the planning ecosystem. This growth shows both the appetite for digital transformation and the value of having a central, reliable resource.

The impact is evident. Local authorities report that the Directory is helping them navigate procurement more confidently. Small and medium-sized enterprises are finding a stronger voice in the planning marketplace. Educators are using it to show students what the future of planning could look like. Most importantly, the platform is fostering the kind of collaboration across disciplines that is essential if planning is to rise to today’s big challenges.

Whilst we’ve been busy at work growing the Directory, the government has started to focus its minds on digital planning. Most recently, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of AI and digital innovation in planning reform, pointing to breakthroughs that could accelerate housing delivery and cut delays. This signals a timely opportunity for the sector to translate policy into tangible impact for communities.

Our next step is to scale up the Directory’s contribution to the planning system and the communities it benefits. In addition to the Procurement Resource Hub launched this month, we will introduce a Digital Planning Education & Training Listing in early 2026, supporting digital planning education and training, and helping to build the digitally confident workforce that the planning sector so urgently needs.

Alongside these resources, the Directory also hosts highly popular Show and Tell events and publishes thought-leadership blogs and a monthly newsletter — the Digital Planning Digest, all aimed at sharing lessons and promoting the wider adoption of proven digital approaches.

The story so far demonstrates what can be achieved when people, ideas, and technology are brought together with a shared purpose. The next chapter will be about embedding digital methods into every stage of planning, scaling up best practice, and continuing to ensure that digital transformation is not an end in itself but a means to deliver real public benefit.

The Digital Planning Directory was born from passion, collaboration, and the belief that planning must evolve to meet the challenges of our time. Together, we can build on this foundation to shape a future that is more sustainable, more inclusive, and ultimately better for everyone.