C O N T E X T 1 2 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 17 IHBC Annual School Annual School 2011 School 2011 IHBC An 2011 IHBC Annual S IHBC Annual School School 2011 IHBC IHBC Annual Scho forthcoming premier league season, to underline the necessity for a long-term view and to elucidate the dangers of populist short-termism. With the current shifting agenda, this was a prescient reminder that the historic environment was too important to be used as a political tool, either inWestminster or Cardiff. Dai’s adventures provided an anecdote on the plight of the chapels of Wales, and the need for bold, creative decisions in order to sustain them into the future. The statistics are alarming. Taking Presbyterian chapels alone, 75 per cent are in poor or worsening condition, and 75 per cent of the already dwindling members do not regularly attend. This point highlights an everincreasing problem for the wider built heritage. While Roach did not necessarily present solutions, he gave an eloquent and thought-provoking description of the issues facing these icons of theWelsh landscape. Through his excellent presentation and delivery, Roach got to the heart of the issues facing many members at the Annual School. To leave him with the final word: ‘It is nice when conservation and commerce align, but we are paid to navigate the situation when they do not.’ Robert Chambers A new paradigm for the built environment sector Jim MacDonald, chief executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, based his talk around the question of whether the built environment sector was experiencing a paradigm shift as a result of recent changes to public funding and government, with shifting priorities for those delivering public services. He highlighted the 25 per cent reduction in budget between 2011-14 being experienced by his organisation and others. This was resulting in a reduction of staff and was impacting on the services that could be delivered. In practice, this meant that Architecture and Design Scotland needed to align its activities with those of other organisations, eliminating duplication and focusing on identified key outcomes. At the same time, limited access to private finance had led to an aversion to risk, stagnant property market and collapse in development activity. This created a need for collaboration and new finance models for the private sector. The change in government in 2007 had resulted in more than 400 national targets for Scotland being replaced by 15 national outcomes. The aim was to address perceived problems of limited joint working and poor understanding of impacts. As with the budget cut, this created a need for collaboration, joint working and a clear focus on outcomes. For the built environment sector, it also meant a shift of emphasis from buildings to people.To respond to these changes, Architecture and Design Scotland had introduced initiatives such as Learning Towns and Delivering Better Places. Both of these programmes emphasise joint working, community engagement and the achievement of clear outcomes. As with many speakers, MacDonald held the view that public spending restraint was likely to be with us for quite some time to come. He emphasised the need to create ‘whole life places’ with ‘whole life value’. He concluded by pointing out that historic environments were valuable drivers in creating successful places. The new paradigm appeared to be based on principles of collaboration and partnership, clear joint outcomes rather than targets, and a focus on engaging communities. Dave Chetwyn Securing quality of design in challenging times Rob Cowan, director of the Urban Design Skills consultancy and a leading urban design trainer, gave an illuminating and highly entertaining presentation on the need for improving design skills in development proposals. His witty cartoons will be familiar to readers of Context. Our current dilemma was summed up in Cowan’s opening words: ‘We are standing on the edge of a precipice – friends, it is time to move forward!’ His argument was that an effective planning service could still be delivered and design quality improved by focusing on getting the basics right. The audience was startled by the revelation that 84 per cent of proposals submitted for planning permission were the work of people with no design training. The challenge was to create places today that would be loved and appreciated for their design in years to come. Cowan was concerned about the current lack of skills Rob Cowan: a few simple rules Jim MacDonald: new models are needed
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