Resources about Design and Architecture

Downloads from other organisations

CABE: By Design
This document is one of the key urban design texts for professionals working in the built environment. It covers the value of urban design and practical design guidance in detail and provides guidance for how to make this work in the planning system.

CABE: The Councillor's Guide to Urban Design
This document sets out an accessible summary of the more detailed CABE document 'by design', intended as a non-technical version that can be easily understood by non-design and planning professionals. The four chapters cover: what makes a successful place?, Aspects of form, raising standards and the planning toolkit. A glossary of terms is provided at the back.

CABE: Building in Context Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to provide practical guidance on how to develop in areas of historical significance. It provides advice on how to facilitate community and professional participation in such specialised areas.

CABE: Inclusion by Design
This document summarises how quality design of an area can create an inclusive community environment. It sets out how community centres, public spaces, homes and neighbourhoods can be designed to facilitate an inclusive community

CABE: Selecting design and development partners
This document offers supplementary guidance to CABE’s Creating successful masterplans client guide. It provides discussion on ways to create a relationship between community groups and professionals (such as designers and developers) and how to best communicate your ideas to the professionals involved in your community project.

RIBA: putting you in Control: the RIBA client design advisor
Introduces the role and the benefits of appointing a design advisor to your building project by assisting and maintaining a relationship between your group and the professionals involved.

Urban Forum: The Handy planning Guide
A guide to the UK planning system for the general public.

Useful Links

Academy for Sustainable Communities
The skills arm t of the Homes and Communities Agency which supports HCA’s partners to deliver better places by providing access to practical training and resources. See the website for best practice case studies.
www.ascskills.org.uk

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
Archive of the government’s previous advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. Website provides a wide range of case studies and publications relating to buildings and open space.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org.uk/ 

Design Council and CABE
A one-stop shop for design support and advice to industry, communities, central and local government. This includes expert advice and promoting the value of good design.
www.designcouncil.org.uk

Placecheck
Is a website providing an interactive resource for conducting a ‘placecheck’, a way to assess the quality of an area and identify what aspects need to be improved and how this can be achieved.
www.placecheck.info/ 

Community planning
This website provides an overview of the importance of communities and community centres and ways in which your community can better include and care for the individual through citizen’s advice bureau, meals on wheels and youth programmes.
www.communityplanning.net

Planning for Real
A planning model which through the use of interactive hands on tools and techniques, enables people to individually and collectively learn new sills and develop their own assets and strengths and shape the places where they live.
www.planningforreal.org.uk

Planning Aid
An independent organization providing planning advice, support and planning to communities throughout the UK, who cannot afford consulant fees. See the website for Planning Aid in your area.
www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

Planning Portal
The government’s online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales. This site enables communities to learn about planning and building regulations, apply for planning permission, to find out about developments nearby, and to research government policy.
www.planningportal.gov.uk

The Architecture Centre Network
Is a national Network of Architecture Centres promoting engagement with the built environment through debates, events and online resources.
www.architecturecentre.net

Beam, Wakefield
Beam supports community groups and professionals to enable the creation of inspirational places through a number of schemes; including community consultation, skill development for professionals, study tours to inspirational buildings and research projects
www.beam.uk.net

Bureau of Design Research (BDR), Sheffield
The Design Research Centre, in collaboration with Sheffield University, aims to advance architectural design through research, consultancy and practice, including empowerment and construction projects with community groups.
www.bdr.group.shef.ac.uk

Building Futures
Building Futures aims to inspire, stimulate and facilitate discussion on the future of the built environment and its impact on society through debates, events and research
www.buildingfutures.org.uk

RIBA
The official RIBA website provides a number of resources including information on architects in your area, examples of quality architectural design and information on sustainability and inclusive design.
www.architecture.com

Fundamental Architectural Inclusion
This website introduces the work of Fundamental Architectural Inclusion, based in Newham, who undertake innovative engagement with young people
www.fundamental.uk.net/

URBED
Urbanism, Environment and Design
Based in Manchester and London also and working across the UK. A cooperative specialising in urban design, regeneration, sustainability and community involvement
www.urbed.com