The Digital Task Force for Planning’s work has been highlighted in the Geospatial Commission‘s policy report ‘Finding Common Ground’ published today.

Read Geospatial Commission’s report: Finding common ground: Integrating data, science and innovation for better use of land.

This important report sets out findings from the National Land Data Programme and makes recommendations for enhancing the UK’s data to support land use decision making. The report explores land use challenges and demonstrates where innovative data analysis and evidence can support better land use decisions.

Dr Wei Yang, Cofounder and CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning commented:

“I am delighted that our work has been highlighted as the second Case Study in the report alongside DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

“It’s a timely report covering the urgent issue of better integrating data, science, and innovation for better use of land. The Geospatial Commission report’s recommendations resonate with our recommendations. Both reports highlighted that the UK lacks a shared, spatially-explicit evidence base that integrates data, technology, and scientific knowledge to support land use decisions.

The Geospatial Commission’s report specifically focuses on technical and data capacity, but it doesn’t explicitly discuss who is responsible for reconciling cross-departmental land use issues. Our report argued that planning is not solely about delivering housing; digitally-enabled Spatial Planning should have the power to break down departmental and professional barriers and consider land use issues holistically. ”