Memorandum by the Landscape Institute
(LI) (CAB 25)
1. The Landscape Institute (LI) is the Chartered
Institute in the UK for Landscape Architects, incorporating designers,
managers and scientists, concerned with enhancing and conserving
the environment. The LI promotes the highest standards in the
practice of landscape planning, design, management and research,
representing members in private practice, at all levels of government
and government agencies, in academic institutions and commercial
organisations. In addition, the Landscape Institute is one of
the strategic partners of CABE Space and is represented on its
steering committee.
2. Since its creation in 1999, CABE has
made a significant difference to the way which design is considered
by policy makers in government and Whitehall. Together with key
government ministers, CABE has sought to address the benefits
that a well designed environment with better buildings can bring
to the quality of everyday life. In particular we support the
wider view taken by CABE in addressing aspects of urban design
and tackling the more modest environments rather than simply concentrating
high profile buildings. The evidence-based approach followed by
CABE has helped to dispel the view that good design is the exclusive
preserve of the cultural elite and instead has promoted the significance
of good design on most people lives. The surveys, campaigns and
publications have been particularly effective in breaking out
of the elitist mould to communicate with Councillors and the public
at large. For example, the finding that 85% of people believe
that their environment effects their quality of life is an important
lever in promoting good design as part of what people are entitled
to, rather than an added extra for the few.
3. CABE has assisted the design professions
by equipping them with facts in an accessible form that support
the arguments for good design. This is an important tool as it
carries the weight of a national body backed by government in
the continuing debate with organisations or individuals who take
the view that design is an optional add-on.
4. CABE has championed good design and forced
architects and other designers to think more thoroughly about
the context of their work beyond the demands of their immediate
client. The design review panel has a key role in this area and
should represent a broad cross section of respected experts in
the field. The LI welcomes the proposal to advertise for appointments
to the panel and would like to see more non-architects from within
the construction design professions taking a role. The LI supports
the moves by CABE to develop its regional activities either in
its own right or in partnership with other organisations. The
lack of design skills in local authorities is a fundamental problem
when dealing with applications for schemes which may significantly
effect the quality of life in regional towns and cities for many
decades. In this regard the regional panels such as the SEEDA
design panel should be promoted to work in collaboration with
CABE to enable closer geographical connection and appreciation
of specific context.
5. The creation of CABE Space in 2003 is
part of a sea change in the way government approaches the public
realm of our towns and cities and in particular their green spaces.
The LI had campaigned for over ten years for the formation of
an agency to promote and safeguard urban parks and is now working
with CABE Space as a strategic partner to develop their work and
assist local authorities in regaining the pride once held in parks
and other public spaces. We welcome the appointment of a landscape
architect and an open space expert as CABE commissioners to guide
the development of CABE space in particular but to broaden the
view of CABE in general. The LI supports the work being undertaken
by CABE Space and believes that the Chairman, the Director and
all staff have made a significant impact in a short period to
revive and enthuse a sector that has been without an authoritative
central voice for a very long time.
6. We will continue to support the organisation
in its work as a champion of urban open space promoting the case
for quality of the public realm to develop sustainable communities.
We trust our comments are of interest.
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