< Previous | Contents | Next >

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

3.0 CULTURAL VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE

3.1 Respondents were in broad agreement that arts and culture had a central role to play in shaping a sense of community and civic pride in the newly devolved Scotland. It was felt that the proposal to develop a policy on architecture provided a welcome opportunity to establish and promote the cultural importance of architecture. The cultural dimension of architecture was felt to have relevance in:

• creating a sense of personal, local and national identity;
• fostering an understanding of place, belonging and citizenship;
• developing greater visual literacy and aesthetic awareness;
• providing new opportunities for creative development; and
• encouraging an interest in contributing to debate and the democratic decision making process.

3.2 A number of respondents commented on the need to relate the policy on architecture to the national cultural strategy. It was felt that the link between the two needed to be more clearly defined. For example, the connection between art and architecture was highlighted and there were calls to make a stronger link between policies on public art and architecture. Other respondents saw the need for education in cultural matters to embrace questions such as how we choose to live, how we envision alternatives and how we might achieve better built environments and quality of life. A suggestion was made that demonstration building projects should be promoted so as to tie in with cultural programmes and involve communities in discussions about design, the built environment, housing and the spaces in cities. Some respondents felt that the concept of cultural regeneration had to go hand-in-hand with economic regeneration.

3.3 Several respondents drew attention to the lessons that could be learned from abroad with regard to cultural matters. Developments in Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands were cited as offering useful models of good practice. It was suggested that the value of architecture as a cultural phenomenon was recognised in these countries and that this had led to the establishment of a strong cultural identity that confidently embraced good modern design.

3.4 The issue of national identity was raised by a number of respondents. Some saw the development of a policy on architecture as an opportunity to express more clearly a distinctive Scottish identity which they felt to be under threat from the twin pressures of globalisation and standardisation. Respondents expressed concern about new building typologies which bear little relationship to the historic patterns and grain of existing settlements. Low quality commercial developments on the edges of towns and cities were cited as examples. However, respondents felt that this erosion of the relationships between buildings and their settings was most evident and acute in rural settings.

3.5 Some respondents wished to see a greater acknowledgement of Scotland's historic fabric and of its potential for practical re-use in the future. It was suggested that a sound understanding and appreciation of the past was important not only to avoid past mistakes but also to provide a basis for informed judgement as to the appropriateness of new developments. Some respondents, however, warned against self-conscious attempts at "Scottishness", suggesting that this would lead to parochialism and a narrowing of design ambitions.

3.6 Respondents felt that there was a lack of confidence in architectural matters in Scotland and that this needed to be addressed if the quality of Scotland's built environment was to match the outstanding quality of much of the country's natural heritage. It was felt that a cultural shift in attitude was required to create higher expectation for building design. The view was expressed that a general improvement in the quality of architecture was essential if Scotland was to move forward with confidence in the 21st century.

3.7 Respondents suggested that all of those involved in construction, both commissioners and providers, needed to be aware of and to acknowledge the cultural responsibilities involved in building design and construction. It was suggested that there was a particular onus on those involved in public projects, as it was felt that public assets should also be cultural assets.

< Previous | Contents | Next >