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Ruth Potts   MRTPI

Ruth Potts

(she/her)

MRTPI

Teams and roles for Ruth Potts

Overview

I am a planner with an interest in the ways in which digital technologies are transforming planning practices internationally.  During my PhD I became interested in the way in which planners were using novel and innovative applications of technologies to enhance natural resource management planning processes and outcomes. Since moving to the UK in 2017, I further noticed significant differences in the way in which UK planners used technology compared to planners I had worked with in Australia, sparking my interest in understanding the digitalisation of planning systems. Over the last six years my research has increasingly focussed on understanding the way in which technology is being used to transform planning systems and aspects of daily planning practice, including public consultation, development management, policy planning, and the structure of governance systems. 

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

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2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

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Research

My research explores the impacts of digitalisation of urban planning systems internationally. I am particularly interested in the professional impacts and role of the planner in digitalisation processes, as well as the impacts of digitalisation on the daily practices of planning practitioners. My work is practice oriented, but theoretically informed and involves exploring how some of the traditional planning theories may need to be rethought or reframed based on the impacts digital technologies are having on planning as a discipline. 

Teaching

I currently contribute to a range of undergraduate modules on topics including spatial planning, digital planning, and urban design.

Biography

Qualifications

  • PhD (Environmental planning and governance), Queensland University of Technology, Australia (2015)
  • Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning (Honours 1A), Griffith University, Australia (2011)

Career

  • Senior Lecturer, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, Wales (2023-present)
  • Lecturer, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, Wales (2018-2023)
  • Lecturer, School of Environment, Science, and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Australia (2016-2017)
  • Sessional academic, Queensland University of Technology, Australia (2013-2016)
  • Sessional academic, Griffith University, Australia (2009-2016)

Professional memberships

  • Academic member of the Planning Institute of Australia

Supervisions

I am happy to supervise students interested in the following topics:

  • Environmental governance
  • Natural resource management planning
  • Environmental planning
  • Environmental policy
  • Urban governance
  • Urban theory
  • Augmented reality games
  • Public spaces
  • Technology and planning

Contact Details

Email PottsR1@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29208 74970
Campuses Glamorgan Building, Room 1.63, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA