The Landscape Institute (LI) is among six leading membership bodies who have launched a 45-point action plan to jointly improve equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the built environment sector.
Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April, the action plan details a shared plan of work for six organisations from across the sector: the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Landscape Institute (LI), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Collectively representing 350,000 members, these organisations will collaborate to deliver three key objectives: data collection; understanding the transition from education into employment; and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) standards. The plan details clear outcomes, target deadlines, required resources, and responsibilities, enabling the organisations to clearly track progress and accountability.
“It’s very encouraging and exciting to see the impetus behind the MoU signing in April translate into measurable, targeted action in these few short months,” said LI Chief Executive Sue Morgan.
“We know there’s a severe skills shortage in the built environment sector. But the problem runs deeper: there’s also a marked lack of diversity. To transform the world for the better, we must understand and represent the interests and experiences of all the communities we serve.”
The action plan also foregrounds the ongoing role of governance and leadership to ensure success. It stresses the significance of aligning visions and strategies with EDI principles, values, beliefs, and the lived experience of the people working within the sector.
The six membership bodies will now work together to deliver the action plan over the next three years, with annual progress reviews from senior leadership taking place every February.
“There’s so much untapped potential out there,” Sue continued. “Understanding the gaps between education and practice; sharing and standardising data; setting clear standards for how we make our sector an accessible and welcoming career choice for everyone – these are all vital goals, and it’s terrific to see our organisations coming together to achieve them.
“This cross-sector approach is exactly the sort of initiative we need to see to change things for the better. I am sure that with our joint resources and collective passion, our organisations will make this a success – and I hope that it will set a high benchmark for future collaboration too.”
