PASW Regional Newsletter: Autumn 2001
The Strategy for Architecture and the Built Environment in the South West - Progress Report
The last newsletter established the overall goals for this study and its five ambitions namely to improve
- The way we think about the built environment
- The processes we use to develop that environment
- The quality of what we create
- The institutional framework that facilitates or hinders good design
- The creation of the new heritage.
We asked for any comments and ideas that could contribute to the debate. Letters were sent out to many organisations, and people, ranging from local authorities, private practices, developers, and key individuals including artists and community 'enablers'. Since then we have had a great response in the form of emails, letters and brochures. We have held discussions with many respondents, and have held local meetings with key organisations such as the RIBA and the RTPI amongst others. Four workshops were held in
- Poole in Dorset
- Lostwithiel in Cornwall
- Exeter
- Bristol
There, the issues that people had raised in the consultation were discussed further, and those present explored a range of ideas. We were fortunate to get a complete cross section of people to come. The outcomes were extremely interesting. Some confirmed our initial concepts, others provided new ideas.
These revolved around such issues as
- Inclusiveness and accessibility how to empower local people to have a greater say in the development of buildings and spaces around them Mechanisms to help raise the quality of development ranging from design champions, advice and review panels, to a new resource as part of a Centre for Excellence.
- Information and networking getting information and good practice to people.
- Procurement changing the corporate nature of the current process.
- Collaboration widening design teams by getting different people, such as artists, health environmentalists, or social anthropologists involved in the process.
- Addressing the skills gap by helping those who make decisions to make better decisions by enhancing their skills in design, communication, brief writing and so on.
- Education getting some of the issues of design quality into schools, and into the academic institutions that train our 'environmental professionals'.
One area of concern was the name of this strategy. Words such as 'Architecture' and 'Built' seem to have negative connotations in this region. So we would be grateful for ideas on what the strategy should be called. For instance A Strategy for Design and the Environment in the South West has been suggested. Any ideas please email to [email protected]. Thanks to all who have contributed so far.
The report is now being written, and an initial draft is due at the end of the summer.
Jon Rowlan
Visit our Web Site at http://www.jrud.co.uk