The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a new report calling for the introduction of city architects across England.
RIBA’s research highlights the potential of city architects to significantly improve the quality and sustainability of homes, places and infrastructure, speed up delivery and unlock associated gains to the nation’s health and economy.
‘Making the case for city architects’ proposes a three-year pilot programme to embed design expertise and leadership in existing combined authorities.
The report uses the example of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to model the impact of the policy. Results showed a city architect could generate £47.6 million in total additional value to the GMCA over a three-year period.
This estimate is based on a conservative projection of a 1% increase in housebuilding capacity – resulting in an additional 42 homes over three years, nearly £1 million in extra tax revenue, and £4.4 million in additional Gross Value Added (GVA) for the Greater Manchester area.
Extrapolated across the country, this could amount to hundreds of new homes and millions in local revenue generated in areas across England.
This echoes research by British Land and WPI Economics, which estimated that better designed cities could save the UK economy £15.3 billion by 2050.
In this country, city architects have historically played a significant part in creating high-quality homes and places that provide substantial public benefit.
From spacious, well-lit social housing to inclusive and innovative approaches to public space, we still experience the results that come from investment in the design of our cities, towns and villages. Through optimising characteristics such as connectivity and walkability, mixed-use design, proximity to amenities and access to communal spaces, a new generation of city architects is well-placed to proactively improve the places we live in.
Chris Williamson, RIBA President said: "At a time of ambitious housebuilding, we're at severe risk of pushing for quantity at the expense of quality. Instituting strong design leadership offers a way to ensure our built environment positively impacts our day-to-day lives. Well-designed places are not a luxury but a public good. They shape health and wellbeing and generate growth.
“If we are serious about delivering new places, new homes, and thriving communities, we must take significant steps to reverse the slow, avoidable decline of our cities and towns. With evidence showing that, across Europe and beyond, city architects improve the quality of the built environment, embedding city architects at the heart of decision-making across England is clearly a key part of the solution.
“We look forward to working with the Government and local leaders to help to deliver city architects and support all of England’s regions to thrive.”
This report takes forward the ambitions of Towards Tomorrow’s Architecture, RIBA’s 17-point plan for strengthening the profession and shaping the future built environment, published earlier this year. Ensuring architects are embedded in major housing developments and new towns from the earliest stages of planning and delivery forms a key part of that agenda, both in securing long-term public value and in helping to reposition and strengthen the profile of the profession.
Bob Allies, Architect in Residence – Bath and North East Somerset, Professor of Architecture at the University of Bath and Partner at Allies and Morrison said: “As one of the very few architects who currently occupy such a post in the UK, I'm only too aware of the huge potential of the role of the city architect, and what - through close collaboration with officers, councillors and members of the public - they can contribute to the shaping of our towns and cities. This initiative from RIBA needs to be taken seriously."
Abi Patel, Housing Delivery Programme Manager - Westmorland and Furness Council and member of RIBA Housing and Planning Expert Advisory Group said: “This report makes an attractive case for strengthening strategic design leadership within local government at a time of ambitious national housing and regeneration delivery. As local authorities are increasingly tasked with delivering growth, embedding architectural expertise will be essential to ensuring that this is not only delivered at pace, but results in high-quality places that deliver long-term social, economic and environmental value. The report highlights the important role that strategic design skills can play in shaping better outcomes for communities and public authorities alike.”
Félicie Krikler, Director and Head of Residential – Barr Gazetas, RIBA Council Member for London and Co-Chair of RIBA Housing and Planning Expert Advisory Group said: “Cities work best when design, policy and delivery are connected. Reinforcing the value of having architects as part of the decision-making process is a simple way to strengthen those connections and improve the quality of the places we build for future generations. This report is a solution to enable a better process in a system often ruled by competing regulations and drivers.”
Andy von Bradsky FRIBA FRSA - Consultant and Former Head of Architecture at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: “This report makes a compelling case for architects to play a leading role in regional and local government and highlights the benefits that will arise. It makes practical and costed recommendations for trialling the role in newly formed strategic authorities where a unique opportunity lies to incorporate their professional expertise. Architects should be leading the way to deliver the vision and quality outcomes that our towns and cities need, collaborating with other sectors, disciplines and communities for public good in response to the government’s agenda to improve the quality of our built and natural environment.”
