Addressing Design Inequality
Design has a significant impact on our quality of life, and as urban designers we hope that our work makes places better for people. However, the Place Alliance National Housing Audit 2021 found that new development is overwhelmingly “mediocre” or “poor” and that less affluent communities get worse design. In the last couple of years we have seen an increased policy focus on the design with the launch of the National Model Design Code and strengthened wording on design in the National Planning Policy Framework. Inequality has also been highlighted through the leveling up agenda, and this will only become more stark as we face the cost of living crisis and increasing pressures on public services. This conference seeks to explore the theme of “design inequality”. What are the current measures being implemented to address it? How are they being implemented on the ground? Where are the opportunities and challenges for the future?
Programme
10:00 Welcome
10:15 Matthew Carmona, Professor of Planning and Urban Design at The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL.
Matthew will discuss Place Alliance research on the intersection of design, development and the planning process. He will touch on the National Housing Audit which found that poorer communities get worse design; the critical public sector design deficit identified in their 2021 research in partnership with Design Council and the Urban Design Group; and the changing picture around design based appeal decisions following the adoption of the National Model Design Code and changes to the NPPF. Followed by brief audience Q and A.
10.40 Dr. Jenny Thomas Head of Built Environment, Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and Nicholas Boys Smith - Founding Director of Create Streets.
Jenny is the lead official responsible for the Office for Place, set up within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to help create beautiful, healthy, successful and enduring places that foster a sense of community, local pride and belonging. Nicholas is chair of the advisory board for the Office for Place. They will provide an update on the work of the Office for Place, including the progress of the Design Code Pathfinder projects. Followed by brief audience Q and A.
11.05 Amandeep Singh Kalra · Associate Director at Be First
Be First is a pioneering urban regeneration company wholly owned by Barking and Dagenham Council, but operating independently. Amandeep will speak about his experience taking part in the government’s Design Code Pathfinder programme. He is exploring how the National Model Design Code process can be “hacked” (adapted to local circumstances) to evolve design policy in a way that ensures sustainability and inclusivity in the Becontree Estate, an interwar housing estate of 27,000 homes. He will also touch on the advantages of the working relationship between Be First and Barking and Dagenham’s planning department. Followed by brief audience Q and A.
11.30 BREAK
11.45 Dr Laura Alvarez - Senior Principal Urban Design and Conservation Officer at Nottingham City Council. Laura will give an insight into the challenges and opportunities of developing and delivering high standards of design policy at a Local Authority level, providing a perspective outside of London and the south east. She will touch on how her work seeks to ensure equitable outcomes for people living in different areas and socio economic contexts. Followed by brief audience Q and A.
12.10 Panel discussion with all speakers including extended audience Q and A.
12:50 Closing remarks.