CABE calls for a new focus on ordinary places

English towns and cities need to focus on improving the ordinary places where more than 80 per cent of people live, says a new CABE report published today (29 March 2010).  Ordinary places sparks a debate about how we respond to the needs of the residential areas around big city centres, smaller post-industrial cities and the suburbs.

While city centres have improved beyond recognition over the past ten years, and local parks and public buildings have improved in numerous locations, many ordinary places still suffer from ugly commercial development, heavily trafficked roads and badly designed new housing. CABE believes that with the right actions, these places can also enjoy a similar resurgence. 

Richard Simmons, chief executive of CABE, said: ‘Ordinary places are usually taken for granted. But they are where most people spend most of their time.  The challenges facing Britain now – frugality, low carbon living, getting people involved – will be played out here.’

The report offers a set of fresh ideas. First, Ordinary places advocates compulsory training in public participation for architects, planners and other built environment professionals, and the guarantee of funding for public engagement. CABE’s design review panel, for example, rarely sees schemes that include information on the views of local people.  Second, teaching all young people visual literacy, so that they can articulate what they think about a place, how it works and what would make it better. In CABE’s experience, many of the people who make decisions about design – such as councillors and clients – have never learnt about it. Teaching visual literacy is one way we can start to change this.

Other ideas include setting minimum design thresholds for all public building projects (not just schools) and asking local authorities to track the progress of ordinary neighbourhoods by introducing a way to measure the quality of a place.  

To enter the debate please visit:  http://www.cabe.org.uk/news/a-new-focus-on-ordinary-places#have-your-say

Notes to editors

• Please get in touch with Jane Barraclough, senior press officer, jbarraclough@cabe.org.uk or 020 7070 6771 for more information, images or to request an interview.
• To download the report please use this link: http://www.cabe.org.uk/publications/ordinary-places
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk