In this month’s edition we speak to the man known within Planit simply as ‘Uncle Rob’.  

From discovering antiquities in Libya to helping Wirral Council prepare the recent World Heritage application for Birkenhead Park, Rob Burns is a true polymath. 

Trained originally as an archaeologist, moving into historic buildings through his time at English Heritage, then helping guide the transformation of Liverpool city centre through Liverpool One and Mann Island, Rob has left his mark in many ways and many forms, but never credited as ‘the designer’. 

Latterly in his career, as leading on Heritage and Urban Design for Liverpool City Council, to now operating as a consultant, he brings a unique perspective on change and development, one we have embraced and woven into our work. We collaborate so closely, so regularly, Rob even has a Planit CV! 

You will hear him talk poetically about history, progress, the psychology, and character of place – giving some golden quotes, in particular about the difference between Urban Designers and Architects.  

 As we have grown, so Rob has worked alongside us, not just to collaborate on project work, but to listen to and mentor our team, inputting to bids and pitches for projects across the UK. 

He is, to us, the ‘Obi-wan Kenobi’ of city-shaping and we hope you enjoy listening to just a few of his stories of how he has worked and why we consider his greatest contribution to Planit to be him sharing his immense wisdom. 

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Created by Planit, produced by Goldbean Studios.

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