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The future of CABE

12 November 2010

On 20 October, the Department of Culture decided as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review to withdraw funding from CABE.

We are now working with Government and others to try to find a way to ensure the kind of expert, impartial design advice for which CABE has been known remains available to councils, communities and developers across the country.

Meantime, CABE remains the government's statutory advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. We are continuing to conduct design review and to deliver many of our programmes.

During the next month, for example, CABE will publish a new report on the design of supermarket-led development. This draws on 30 major supermarket schemes which we have reviewed and offers practical advice to help local planning teams balance the commercial imperatives of a major retailer with the need to create well-designed places.

We are also launching a guide for community groups thinking about taking on the ownership and managment of local parks and public spaces. We are celebrating the 2010 Building for Life Awards, which have been selected from a record number of housing developments achieving the Building for Life Standard this year and running design workshops with a range of volume housebuilders.

If you have questions about the work we are undertaking with your organisation, or events you are coming to, then please get in touch with your normal contact or phone the CABE switchboard on 020 7070 6700.

Your comments

simon huggill on

Have you thought of linking with the Civic Voice movement? As this matures, and gains respectability, this could become a third sector successor. By being outside of government etc,it could also bid for grant funding for particular projects etc

francesco vescovi on

I am an Italian researcher in the field of urban design. To me Cabe is a national treasure and an international beacon England should be extremely proud of. In my country cut spending in culture let Pompei fall into pieces (what a shame!): is this kind of image England is looking for?

Keith Kirby on

CABE has provided a breath of informed fresh air over the last few years. Its research, guidance and final publications have been excellent. At a time of cuts and austerity good design, well planned and sustainable development are crucial. This country is now beginning to appreciate the importance of beautiful and functional buildings and spaces and CABE has played an important part in this process. The government should be ashamed at threatening such an important national service – obviously it needs to change in response to the economic situation but the coalition should find away of helping CABE to continue with its core functions

Alan Harbord on

I'm not directly involved with the industry working as I do in a large FE college teaching tomorrows builders and service engineers. We have found the work that CABE does inspirational for the staff and students here and it has become part of what we do. Young people are our future, the CABE website and work provides them with a focus and a model for the built environment. I hope you find a way to continue the excellent work you do and that the resource you provide is still accessible. I do wonder what goes on in the head of some of our political leaders at times.

Donald M Henzi on

CABE shows how excellence, innovation and sustainability positively affect most of our environment and facilities. CABE is internationally recognized and highly appreciated. A government that is cutting funds of such a "jewel" is ill advised. Try to place CABE outside of the government

Penny Bowers on

As the Chair of a local park community group I've often found your information and publications invaluable as a reference for the work we do and want to do - sadly Wales doesn't have the equivalent of CABE something I know those in the local authorities and other agencies we work with in Wales envy. I really hope there can be some way of salvaging CAB to continue its work in the future.

Denis Browne on

Many planning departments do not have the resources they once had and staff are often trained to interpret guide lines and policies but not to advise on the design merits of applications.

As a result they need the resources in CABE and English Heritage to work effectively.

Without CABE we must expect the quality of our environment to decline further.

from Denis Browne, Chairman, Planning Consultative Committee, Brentford Community Council

Julian S Robinson- Director of Estates LSE on

The creation of Cabe was the sign of a confident and civilised society, where the value of design quality of key buildings and the spaces around them was prioritised and promoted. Its demise will surely be regretted in the longer term.

The Government should state - Cabe should only be regarded as being temporarily suspended due to funding cuts and the situation revisited within 5 years.

Dinah Rudman on

CABE plays a vital role in improving standards in all sectors of building design and also in inspiring developers, Councils, Civic Societies and others, to set their sights on the best possible outcomes, not on anyuthing will do as long as it makes money. Local planning authorities, both officers and members, do not have the time and the training to address all the issues that make a development inspiring or ugly. The recent papers on the importance of Beauty should be taken to heart.

Simon Gershon on

I hope that the many excellent CABE reports/guidance booklets will continue to be hosted on a government website. Maybe you will also release all details of the Spaceshaper process?

Philip Sayers on

A good quality urban environment is essential for peace and harmony in society. For example, parks and open spaces were ignored and deteriorated badly in the 1980s, even abandoned in some cases. Crime increased, satisfaction decreased. By being a champion of quality, CABE had a huge impact. There has to be a future advisor to government on the whole urban environment. Otherwise any (big) society will be left stranded and without essential support.

Bob hodson on

I totally agree that we need Cabe; we need Cabe to ensure we leave a future heritage in Architecture and town planning, a heritage that will draw people from all over to seek the expertise of our Architects. No doubt about it WE NEED CABE.

Daniel Visser on

This website has been the source of many useful guidelines and case studies. Is there no way it can be rescued from termination?

Andy Boorman on

All in all, I will be very sorry to see CABE go. CABE Space was excellent for my area - parks and greenspaces. OK not all worked e.g. TAES, but babies and bath water! The robust and rigorous research and advice must not disappear surely? Please keep this active on a website and not be buried in the archive as has happened with the previous administration's ODPM and CLG material. I do fear for 'quality of life' as much as 'quality in design'. I endorse and will support you continuing to work with others, particularly as CABE had so many fine and active partners. You have my email. Good luck.

Flavio Malta on

As a Brazilian urban designer educated at Oxford Brookes I´ve learned to admire the work carried out by CABE, due to its universal approach to key contemporary urban issues when government is concerned. CABE , to my needs, has become not only a true source for references and experiences but also an outstanding example of good public service. I do expect decisions on CABE future will take those in consideration. Many thanks and congratulations!

sally semmens on

Dear CABE

In Australia we think it is a terrible loss to the broader industry of architecture, design, transport and public realm. We all refer to your documents and website as the international Best Practice. In Australia we are well behind your research, thinking and invaluable publications by about 15 years. You may be aware that there are a group of professionals trying to establish a CABE downunder in Melbourne.

Personally I have been using your material for many years and have used it to define, substantiate much of my professional implementation within the Dept of Transport, often when my views have been considered opinion only eg the need for and definition of inclusive design and its ability to achieve accessibility for all.

We will all be very sad to see you go and think it is a retrograde step of your government. Maybe you could work out a way to offer paying consultancies to keep afloat but I am sure you have thought of that. I would have thought the value of CABE has not only proved itself but its value is even more valuable as true sustainablity of cities is becoming more important and people are wondering how to do it.

I thank you for your huge contribution to public realm planning, open space, value of architecture and public realm and much more.

M Hanton on

I was so disappointed to hear that CABE will not continue in its current form. I'm not an architect or planner - but I do care about the built environment and love to see good quality development. It has been reassuring to know that CABE are challenging and inspiring better design and more intelligent architecture in many spheres of life - from housing to supermarkets, master plans to museums. This is a disappointing and seemingly short-sighted loss to the development of society.

Joel Robosa Oana on

As a planner working in Asia, particularly Bahrain and the Philippines, I am deeply grateful for having access to the reports and studies of CABE, though geared for the UK urban context, they are nonetheless helpful is sharing urban concepts, thoughts and ideas that can be adapted to other countries and could serve as seed knowledge for those who would like to explore approaches and innovations in the context of their planning areas of concern. Your contribution to the planning field as whole in terms of knowledge sharing is truly commendable. I hope your efforts will continue for a better UK environment and more so better places in the world through your knowledge sharing.

Annie Pollock on

I am horrified that the Government should stop funding to CABE - it is a wonderful source of information, excellent reports etc. and a wonderful tool for teachers and lecturers as well. We must lobby for it to continue. Happy to sign any petitions.

Jefny Ashcroft on

This decision is so philistine and mean-minded that it is a crying shame. CABE is that rare thing: an effective QUANGO. I have been particularly impressed by CABE's education work. All the teachers I have worked with recently were amazed at the educational effect looking at architecture had on their students. Last year I saw several committed staff involved in Engaging Places and I feel very much for them as they lose their jobs. Given that this government has an agenda of a laissez-faire state ( aka Big Society) they will not be interested in anything so socially-useful as informed criticism of public architecture unless they are forced to be. Who does your PR? Is it too dangerous to suggest a media campaign to shame the Tories/Clegg on this one? Has the Culture Show been approached? Newsnight? Obviously the thrust must be to find a new home - re-instatement is impossible - but it's always worth creating a rumpus when something as valuable as CABE is trashed, I feel.