Join us to mark 25 years of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and explore the future of spatial planning in Northern Ireland.

To celebrate World Town Planning Day 2026, the UPLAN team at Ulster University invites you to a free, in-person networking event for those interested in the future of regional development and spatial planning opportunities on the island of Ireland.

Twenty-five years on from the introduction of Northern Ireland’s RDS, this is an opportunity to reflect on its legacy and impact, consider the challenges and opportunities shaping our places today, and explore what might come next for regional spatial planning in Northern Ireland.

Through an expert panel discussion, we will consider the significance and impact of the RDS, examine how the context for regional planning has evolved, and debate what strategic spatial planning should look like over the next 25 years.

Join us for an engaging evening of discussion, debate, and networking as we reflect on the past and consider how we can shape the future.

Drinks and networking: from 5 pm

Panel discussions: from 5:30 pm

Description supplied by the event organiser.