The Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA) has published its 2019 General Election manifesto
demanding urgent investment, leadership and new regulation from the next
Government.
‘People,
Places and the Planet: RIBA’s Manifesto for Change’ urges the next
Government to:
- Tackle the housing
crisis – building safer, greener, high-quality new homes and ensuring local
authorities are empowered and resourced to champion a high quality built
environment.
- Address the
climate emergency – setting carbon, water and energy performance targets for
all new and refurbished buildings by 2030.
- Ensure buildings
are safe – implementing strong baseline fire safety regulations on the use of
flammable materials, alternative means of escape, fire alarms and sprinkler
systems.
- Keep architecture
global – maintaining cultural and economic links with Europe, supporting
international growth and creating an immigration system which allows domestic
and international talent to thrive.
RIBA President, Alan
Jones, said: “The drama in Westminster has delayed any action on some of the
UK’s most pressing issues for far too long. From housing to climate change, we
are in a state of emergency.
"The Grenfell
tragedy and subsequent fires have shown that some buildings, materials,
regulations and procurement methods once assumed safe simply aren’t. Their
deficiencies have been exposed through the most tragic of circumstances.
Fundamental cultural reform is needed from all parts of the industry, but
vitally we also need urgent government regulatory action to ensure that the
lessons of Grenfell are acted upon.
"The next
government must bring together the crucial and immediate regulation and the
best expertise to tackle the huge challenges our country faces. This manifesto
outlines how architects are ready and willing to help politicians to ensure
that the built environment is sustainable, safe and fit for the future.”
