One of the themes set out in the programme for government in the Partnership for Scotland Agreement was Creative Scotland. At the heart of this theme is the Government's belief that arts and culture have a central role to play in shaping a sense of community and civic pride in the new Scotland. Architecture, of all the arts, has a unique contribution to make to the realisation of this vision for it is the purpose of architecture not only to meet the most basic of our practical needs but also to respond to the social and cultural values to which we as a nation aspire.

In the Partnership Agreement the Government undertook to develop a first ever national policy on architecture. This document is the first step in the development of that policy. The docu-ment sets out the Government's views on the social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits of architecture; it describes the potential role of Govern-ment in the promotion of policy; and it sets out a framework for action for policy development. The purpose of the document is to raise awareness of the importance of good building design to all our lives, whether as individuals or in communities, and to stimulate debate on the many and complex issues involved in the making of good architecture. It is intended to begin a dialogue with both users and providers of building, a dialogue that is a necessary prelude to setting in place initiatives to improve the quality of Scotland's architecture and Scotland's built environment.

Rhona Brankin MSP
Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport
September 1999