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The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland: Report on the Public Consultation

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 There was widespread support amongst respondents for the Executive's proposal to develop a national policy on architecture for Scotland. Respondents welcomed the Executive's recognition of the importance of the built environment to society and in particular of the relationship of architecture to public policy objectives. Respondents believed that the development of a policy on architecture would mark a significant step in acknowledging the contribution of architecture to the cultural, economic and social life of Scotland. Many respondents noted that benefits of good architecture are not often recognised or valued. Respondents believed that the adoption of a policy on architecture would help to stimulate debate about architecture, promote its benefits and encourage good practice. A number of respondents suggested that the adoption of a policy on architecture would increase the opportunities for international exchange, particularly with those countries that have already adopted their own policy.

1.2 The majority of respondents supported the aspirational tone of the framework document and endorsed the sentiments expressed. Respondents believed that the document presented a positive view and a strong vision for architecture in Scotland. There was general agreement that the document provided a sound basis from which to take the policy forward. The majority of respondents commended the initiative and encouraged the Executive to move forward to the implementation of policy.

1.3 Many respondents queried how the aspirations described in the framework document would be taken forward into implementation. Respondents noted that the document does not set out how a policy will be implemented and some expressed concern about the lack of firm proposals or action points. Respondents identified a number of issues that would need to be resolved during policy development. It was noted that architecture cuts across a range of policy areas and Executive responsibilities. Concern was expressed that this could be a source of difficulties in developing a successful policy. Respondents suggested that the relationship between the cultural strategy and a policy on architecture needed to be more clearly defined. Respondents called for adequate resources to be allocated to the work on a policy to ensure that the aspirations set out in the framework document could be met.

1.4 There was criticism from some respondents that certain issues had not been given sufficient weight or emphasis in the framework document. A recurring criticism was that the document discussed buildings as discrete objects and did not make more of the relationship between architecture and related disciplines such as urban design and landscape architecture. In similar vein, many respondents felt that a policy should address the relationship between buildings and the spaces between them, pointing to the intrinsic relationship between architecture and its setting.

1.5 A number of respondents were concerned about the lack of emphasis given to the existing built heritage within the framework document. Many felt that the quality of Scotland's architectural heritage had been underplayed and that the document failed to acknowledge the cultural and economic role that existing buildings play, and will continue to play, in the lives of people. Concern was also expressed about the lack of reference to vernacular architecture, traditional or local building materials and regional forms of construction. A concern was noted about the lack of any specific mention about access to the built environment for people with disabilities.

1.6 Some respondents suggested that important aspects of the building process had not been fully acknowledged in the framework document. In particular, it was suggested that the contribution of other professional disciplines and the role of the construction industry in producing buildings of quality should have been given more emphasis. The absence of illustrations featuring people in the framework document was taken by some as confirmation of their view that the architecture profession tends to focus on buildings and not users.

1.7 There was a divergence of views on the need to define, in a policy context, what constitutes good architecture. Some respondents felt that such a definition would have a stultifying effect and might be regarded as an attempt to impose some centralised notion of good taste. On the other hand, some respondents felt that it was essential to define good architecture in order to give rigour and a sound intellectual basis to the work on policy development.

1.8 A small minority of respondents did not welcome the Executive's initiative on architecture. Concern was expressed that a policy on architecture would introduce another, and unwelcome, tier of regulation within the construction industry.

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