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

2.0 SOCIAL VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE

2.1 For a majority of respondents, the proposal to develop a policy on architecture provided welcome recognition of the critical importance of the built environment to society. Respondents endorsed the view, set out in the framework document, that the quality of a society's built environment has an important role to play in helping to meet policy objectives for an inclusive society. Respondents felt that the policy should provide a focus for debate about social objectives and the built environment.

2.2 The cross-cutting nature of architecture in relation to a range of policy issues was highlighted by many respondents and during discussion at the public meetings. Respondents suggested that a policy on architecture could be instrumental in delivering Executive policies on regeneration and sustainability and a number of related economic development aims. Respondents identified a range of other social issues as being relevant to a policy on architecture including pollution, affordability, ownership, health, gender, race, and disability.

2.3 Respondents acknowledged the role that good architecture can play in promoting civic pride and a sense of community. Several respondents hoped that the implementation of a policy on architecture would encourage clients, particularly those in the private sector, to take a more socially responsible approach to commissioning practice and to take account of a development's potential to contribute both to its physical setting and the life of the community around it. Many respondents were of the view that the public sector had an obligation to take a lead in commissioning architecture of high quality, particularly for facilities which are being developed on behalf of the community such as schools and health buildings. A number of respondents felt that the adoption of PFI/PPP¹ as a procurement route compromised the potential of the public sector to act as an informed and socially responsible client.

2.4 For a great many respondents, housing was a touchstone for a number of connected issues. Respondents felt that the quality of a society's housing was a benchmark of that society's values and fundamental to its well-being. Many expressed concern about the impact on cities, towns and rural communities of the recent growth of car-dependent private housing developments. It was suggested that this type of development lacked the characteristics necessary to promote coherent communities and a sense of local identity. Respondents expressed concern about what was seen as the defensive nature of these settlements.

2.5 By contrast, respondents cited the work carried out by the housing association movement as representing a more inclusive approach towards development which recognised the role that communities themselves can play in determining their future. It was felt that recent regeneration projects involving the housing association movement in the west of Scotland had demonstrated the benefits of community involvement in the development process. It was suggested that community participation and user consultation should be more widely encouraged as processes that empowered both individuals and communities and led to a better understanding of user issues.

2.6 A number of respondents emphasised the importance of what was termed "everyday" architecture which forms the backdrop to the majority of people's lives. Respondents suggested that a central aim of policy should be to improve the standard of this "everyday" architecture. Several respondents expressed concern at what was perceived as a trend in western society towards "signature" or "gesture" buildings which reflected values unrelated to their social purpose.

2.7 Several respondents were of the view that a better understanding was required of the social and historical background to Scotland's architecture. Some suggested that the quality of 20th century architecture in Scotland had not been fully appreciated and that a better understanding of the Modern Movement in Scotland was required. There was some division of opinion on the matter of architectural heritage. Several respondents felt that the framework document had underplayed the importance of Scotland's architectural heritage, whereas others felt that an obsession with Scotland's historic architecture had held back the development of modern design.

2.8 Respondents expressed concern about what was seen as a failure by the majority of architectural publications to address social matters. Respondents were critical of the architectural press's tendency to present buildings as glossy images rather than in terms of issues relating to people and users.

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