A Design Quality Unit for England: Marmite to Manna?

摘要

In February this year, in a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, a coalition of organisations called for the setting up of a new Design Quality Unit for England. The call follows the report of the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission and the publication of A Housing Design Audit for England. Collectively, the Academy of Urbanism, Civic Voice, CPRE, Design Council, Place Alliance, Trees & Design Action Group and Urban Design Group argued that: 1. For decades we have been systematically failing to deliver good quality urban design across England, particularly new residential environments. 2. There is a need for systemic change in the way that we design and deliver the built environment, and - building on recent initiatives - there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the government to show real leadership and ambition in this regard. 3. To help drive the culture change that we need will require focus, capacity, leadership and resourcing and this should start by setting up a dedicated new Design Quality Unit for England.