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

14.0 ADULT EDUCATION

14.1 There was general agreement amongst respondents that a better understanding and appreciation of architecture amongst the general public, commissioning clients and policy makers was critical to ensuring a favourable climate in which good architecture can flourish. For many respondents, this issue was seen as one of the more important areas that policy initiatives might tackle. Respondents suggested that initiatives on lifelong learning needed to take a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach. It was acknowledged that such initiatives may not bear fruit in the short-term but that they were necessary nevertheless in order to:

• stimulate public interest in architecture and develop an understanding of the social, political, economic and cultural issues relating to how people affect, and are affected by, their environment;

• encourage informed debate, increase critical awareness and raise levels of expectation;

• increase confidence and expertise amongst those participating in decision making with regard to built environment matters; and

• engender an historical perspective on local built environments and a sense of place and local identity.

14.2 Many respondents suggested that the availability of appropriate training for those responsible for commissioning buildings or for decision making on built environment matters was highly desirable. Client bodies, planning committees and policy makers were cited as key groups in this respect. Respondents suggested that if standards of design were to be raised, then these groups needed to have a well-developed appreciation of good design and a sound understanding of the processes of design and associated technical issues. Several respondents made reference to the education programme Designs on You, developed by SHARE,¹⁰ as a good example of what can be achieved.

14.3 Several respondents noted that there was a growing interest in architecture amongst the general public and suggested that this should be capitalised on. Respondents welcomed the emphasis on education in the Glasgow 1999 programme, the initiatives on public education undertaken by The Lighthouse and the development of new arts centres such as Dundee Contemporary Arts which had shown an interest in curating exhibitions on architecture. However, respondents were of the view that there was, in general, a lack of opportunities for the public to learn about architecture and engage with architectural issues.

14.4 Respondents made a number of suggestions for initiatives that might be undertaken to improve the information available on architecture. These included:

• the promotion of access events such as Doors Open Day¹¹;

• the development of new Open University courses;

• the development of the schools of architecture as lifelong learning centres;

• the inclusion of courses on architecture and the built environment in local authority sponsored evening classes;

• the development by local agencies and professional institutes of public programmes of lectures, events, exhibitions and visits;

• the publication of the results of design competitions and pilot projects;

• the establishment of regional, local or mobile architecture centres;

• the publication, on a regular basis, of critical texts and other resource material on architecture;

• the publication of a yearbook of Scottish architecture; and

• the exploration of information technology and the Internet as a means of disseminating information and stimulating debate.

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