The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland

A POLICY ON ARCHITECTURE FOR SCOTLAND SHOULD: STIMULATE DEBATE ON ARCHITECTURE AND PROMOTE THE BENEFITS OF GOOD BUILDING DESIGN AND, IN SO DOING, CONSIDER HOW BEST TO :- broaden the debate on architecture and develop a language for discussion and criticism that is accessible to all; encourage dissemination through the media of good, informed criticism and commentary on architecture and architectural projects and proposals; ensure that there are appropriate facilities, at both national and local levels, for the promotion of architecture through exhibitions, events, workshops and publications; foster an awareness and enjoyment of architecture through the educational curricula and use the curricula to develop creativity and self-expression; encourage the consideration of architecture and issues relating to the built environment in curricula subjects, in art, history, geography and the natural and life sciences; provide lifelong learning opportunities for all to develop an appreciation of architecture and an understanding of both the processes and products of building design; encourage a greater involvement and participation of local communities in matters affecting local buildings and the built environment;

The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EMBT/RMJM

FOSTER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO GOOD ARCHITECTURE

AND, IN SO DOING, CONSIDER HOW BEST TO :-

• ensure that design quality is encouraged and not inhibited by the development control process;
• consider ways in which the promotion of design quality might be strengthened by legislation, regulation or fiscal measures;
• ensure that the role of architecture and the built environment in the delivery of public policy objectives are taken into account in policy development;
• ensure that a commitment to good architecture and building design are a part of public sector procurement policy;
• ensure the availability of appropriate design skills in the procurement of publicly funded developments;
• ensure that architecture and the built environment are properly integrated into national strategies for sustainable development;
• encourage the development of a national strategy for architectural education;

ENCOURAGE GOOD PRACTICE AND ACKNOWLEDGE EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN

AND, IN SO DOING, CONSIDER HOW BEST TO :-

• encourage the use of properly funded and managed competitions for projects of national or local importance;
• celebrate good design by raising the profile, prestige and value of awards and prizes for exemplary architecture and best construction practice;
• encourage innovation and experimentation in architecture, both technical and aesthetic, through demonstration projects;
• support the marketing and export of Scottish design and construction skills;
• seek ways to facilitate collaborative working amongst creative people and the inclusion of the work of artists and craftsmen in building design;
• promote research into the social, cultural and historical aspects of architecture and architectural design in addition to the technical;
• encourage research into, and demonstrations of, an architecture that is ecologically sound.

THESE, THEN, ARE THE ISSUES THAT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES SHOULD FORM A FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY ON ARCHITECTURE FOR SCOTLAND. THE GOVERNMENT WISHES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A POLICY TO BE AN INCLUSIVE PROCESS. IT IS RECOGNISED THAT AN EFFECTIVE NATIONAL POLICY ON ARCHITECTURE CAN NEITHER BE DEVELOPED NOR PUT INTO EFFECT WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT, COMMITMENT AND CO-OPERATION OF A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS.

AS A FIRST STEP, THE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO HEAR VIEWS AND COMMENTS ON BOTH THE GENERAL CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT AND ON THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION.

VIEWS AND COMMENTS ARE INVITED FROM BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS.

Views and comments should be submitted, before the end of February 2000, to: Chief Architect's Office Scottish Executive Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH6 6QQ Responses can also be sent by fax to 0131 244 7470 or emailed to architecture@scotland.gov.uk. This document is also available on the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk/architecture Under the code of practice on open government, responses will be made available to the public on request, unless respondents indicate that they wish their responses to remain confidential.
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