CUBE homepage
CUBE Centre for the Urban Built Environment

  > CUBE INFO
  > EXHIBITIONS
  > NEWS
  > JOIN CUBE
  > CUBE HIRE
  > THE CITY
  > EDUCATION
  > BEST PRACTICE
  > RIBA BOOKSHOP
  > TOURS
  > ARCHISNAPS
  > FAQ'S
Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I find an architect?
Q: What is meant by ‘the built environment’?
Q: How is Government involved in the built environment?
Q: How do I find out about design and urban culture?
Q: How can I get more out of my city?
Q: How can I help improve my urban environment?
Q: How can I get involved in my local neighbourhood?
Q: Where can I get official maps?
Q: What does sustainability mean?
Q: What is meant by ‘density’ when talking about the built environment?
Q: What is meant by regeneration?
Q: What is building control?
Q: What is a listed building?
Q: How do I obtain a planning permission?
Q: How can I have a say in a planning decision?
Q: How can I have a say in planning policy?
Q: What is landscape architecture?
Q: What does ‘Planning’ mean?
Q: How can I find out more about architecture and the built environment?
Q: What is Urban Design?



Q: How do I find an architect?

Looking for an architect or professional assistance for a development project can be a daunting prospect. However help is available at no charge from various sources. Most professional institutes offer a free client referral service that matches your needs to suitable practices across the NW and UK.
Looking at magazines such as the Architect’s Journal and Building Design, may give you some idea of various architect’s work, as would visiting completed buildings and talking to existing and previous clients. Many practices now have websites that profile projects and past clients.
In addition if you are unable to pay for project or consultancy fees and meet certain criteria you may be able to receive professional assistance at reduced, or no cost. Contact the following Institutes for more information on finding a practice. Events such as Architecture Week, when architect’s offices are opened to the public for tours, can also be very informative about the work these professionals do
.
NB Most institutes also have regional offices in the Manchester or the NW who will be able to assist you further.

Architecture
Royal Institute of British Architects - RIBA
www.architecture.com

Engineering
The Institution of Civil Engineers - ICE
www.ice.org.uk

Landscape
The Landscape Institute LI
www.l-i.org.uk

Planning
The Royal Town Planning Institute - RTPI
www.rtpi.org.uk

Surveying
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – RICS
www.rics.org.uk

Urban Design
The Urban Design Group - UDG
www.udg.org.uk

> back to questions list


Q: What is meant by ‘the built environment’?

Refers to all buildings, and the spaces between them such as streets and squares as well as civil engineering works such as roads and railways. Most of us spend about 90% of our lives surrounded by this environment, so its quality can have a significant effect on out lives.

> back to questions list


Q: How is Government involved in the built environment?

Government priorities are changing fast and are increasingly turning to shaping debate and trends in architecture, planning and construction. For a comprehensive overview of government initiatives in the built environment check information resources with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

In addition to national government frameworks the North West also has a regional tier of government that examines strategic policy and planning. The North West Regional Assembly and North West Regional Development Agency both work 'to improve quality of life in own towns and cities. The Government Office in the North West based in Manchester includes offices from central government to support these aims. English Partnership is also a major player in the regeneration of the North West and works closely with other regional bodies. For information on the environment and regional sustainability check with Sustainability North West for their current agenda. English Heritage also works across the North West to preserve monuments, key buildings and sites of archaeological importance.

Local authorities have responsibility for planning and building control as well as the maintenance of the public realm and the involvement of local community groups.

> back to questions list


Q: How do I find out about design and urban culture?

Interested in furthering your career in art, design or have an interest in the impact of creative industries on urban culture; then check out the following organisations.
Manchester is a seed bed of creative talent and urban based culture. For practitioners and their clients of design, art and other creative activity the Manchester & Liverpool Design Initiative and the Cultural Industries Development Service both offer expert support and guidance on business development and training. In addition the Manchester Institute of Popular Cultural based at Manchester Metropolitan University uniquely examines the phenomenon of urban based culture. For information on grant funded urban arts initiatives and public art in Manchester and the region contact North West Arts. For topical discussion of the city's evolving urban culture and full listings of exhibitions and events check city life the fortnightly listings magazine for Manchester.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I get more out of my city?

Interested in finding out more about architecture - then why not become a tourist in your own city!
Visiting your local tourist information office would give you a start, as would visiting your nearest Architecture Centre.
Staff at Manchester Visitor Information Centre can provide a wealth of ideas for days out and visits to key buildings of architectural interest; for in depth insight into Manchester's built heritage why not take a Blue Badge walking tour of the city, information from MVIC. Manchester also hosts a range of public street festivals and open air events which can be an excellent way of experiencing city life; again contact MVIC. National Heritage Open Days in the North West coordinated by the Civic Trust also offers access into significant buildings and Manchester landmarks, many of which are normally closed to the public. There are also many excellent guides and publications about Manchester's architecture and history - enquire at good booksellers. For more detailed research into Manchester¹s past development and social history the Local Studies Unit, the Greater Manchester County Records Office or the North West Film Archive.
For young people Manchester Monuments Live! is a new initiative from key Manchester institutions such as the Bridgewater Hall, allowing children to learn from and enjoy the city's living architecture.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I help improve my urban environment?

Getting involved in your local civic society can help you to find out more about your urban environment and can help you have a say in its future. These societies are concerned with conservation of the existing urban environment as well as its improvement for the benefit of everyone. The Civic Trust is the national umbrella organisation for these groups. Contact the Civic Trust for details of your local group.

Manchester’s Civic Society produce a quarterly magazine called ‘Forum’ which looks at recent and proposed developments in the city.

The Groundwork Trust is a federation of trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that encourages people to become directly involved in improving their environment. Each Groundwork Trust is a partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors with its own board of trustees.

There are many opportunities for the public to get involved in environmental projects across Greater Manchester with the Red Rose urban forest and the Mersey Basin campaign produces its 'Little Green Book' for environment action. The newly established Manchester Environmental Resource and Information Centre (MERCI) aims to support environmental action and urban sustainability across Manchester. Greening Greater Manchester is also on hand to provide funding and backup for a range of community environmental projects across the city working in partnership with other bodies.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I get involved in my local neighbourhood?

You could become involved through your local Development Trust if one exists in your area. These are independent, community based, not for profit organisations. Contact your local council for details in your area.

It may be possible to become involved in a tenants group or a tenants association. This is an organisation of local volunteers that operates within a defined geographical area, such as a local estate or a tower block. These groups set their own agenda, some may want to focus on local housing concerns, others may be interested in the environment or housing policy. To get detailed information on tenants groups visit www.manchester-housing.org.uk in Manchester or contact your local council.

> back to questions list


Q: Where can I get official maps?

Ordnance Survey maps, town maps and guides, atlases and foreign maps should be available from larger libraries. Current maps of Manchester and historical maps of the area since Roman times are available in the Local Studies Unit in the Central Library.

> back to questions list


Q: What does sustainability mean?

Sustainability is usually defined as ‘the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’, (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). It is becoming a major consideration in government policy on the built environment. This comes with the realisation made by many people that the earth’s resources are finite and that the built environment uses up a large proportion of these finite resources, both in its construction and in its use of energy for things like heating and lighting. There is a wide range of research being done at the moment on sustainability and the built environment and how this might best be achieved, both in university Architecture and Built Environment departments and at places like the Building Research Establishment in Watford. There are also a number of initiatives that aim to help people make their homes and workplaces more sustainable, through grants for energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy technologies. Your local council should be able to tell you about these, or you can visit the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Mini

For further information in Manchester visit The Environmental Resource and Information Centre (ERIC). ERIC is a source of environmental information for the general public and businesses. Issues covered include air quality, global warming, energy saving, waste minimisation and recycling, public participation, local groups, countryside and conservation, and transport. The centre is located in the Central Library at St. Peter's Square.

> back to questions list


Q: What is meant by ‘density’ when talking about the built environment?

The density of an area is usually measured in units such as the number of habitable rooms per hectare or the number of dwelling units (homes) per hectare. In some of Europe’s most successful urban centres, such as Barcelona, average density is 400 dwellings per hectare, whilst most new development in this country is at an average of 25 dwellings per hectare, which often results in areas that are lacking in vitality and have poor access to local services such as public transport or schools. Current government policy and design thinking suggests that new development in this country should be denser than it is at present. This would create more vibrant and sustainable communities that can be serviced by more viable public transport links and have easier access to local shops and services without relying so heavily on the private car. The Urban Task Force report, produced for the government in 1999 suggested that all new development should be built at a density of 30 dwellings per hectare or higher. It suggested that this could be achieved without compromising the quality of the development or creating a sense of overcrowding by using good design.

> back to questions list


Q: What is meant by regeneration?

This covers a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving our quality of life and environment. Regeneration involves working with many different partners and agencies in an area to achieve this.

> back to questions list


Q: What is building control?

Your local authority also oversees building control. Any new building work will need a building control approval. This means that it must meet the standards set out in the central government issued Building Regulations that cover the health and safety of people in and around all types of buildings (i.e. domestic, commercial and industrial). They also provide for energy conservation and for access and facilities for disabled people. See www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/bregs for further information, or contact your local authority’s building control office.

> back to questions list


Q: What is a listed building?

’Listed buildings’ are buildings listed by central government as being of special architectural or historic interest. Buildings can be listed because of age, rarity, architectural merit, and method of construction. Once included on the list, Listed Building Consent is needed to alter, extend or demolish a protected building. This protection applies to both interior and exterior works and also protects subordinate structures and buildings within the grounds of the listed building. It is a potential criminal offence to undertake works to a listed building without consent. Your local council’s conservation officers will be able to give advice on whether consent is needed for particular works.

There are also national societies that can provide advice on historic buildings:

English Heritage
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) – pre-1750 buildings.
The Georgian Group – buildings up to about1835.
The Victorian Society – Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
The Twentieth Century Society – 20th century buildings (especially “modernist”)

Grade I: These buildings are of exceptional interest (less than 5% of the listed buildings so far are in this grade).

Grade II: These buildings are of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them. (Some particularly important buildings in Grade II are classified as Grade II*).

You can see lists covering your local area and obtain copies of individual entries at your local council planning department, County Council offices and most local reference libraries. The full English national list is kept by English Heritage at the National Monuments Record, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2GZ

> back to questions list


Q: How do I obtain a planning permission?

To submit a planning application you need to get the relevant forms from your local planning authority. You can then fill out these forms yourself or, if you are employing an architect or other building professional on your project, they may be able to complete them for you. There is a fee for submitting a planning application payable on a sliding scale based on the area of the proposal. Your local authority should send you a copy of their fee scale when they send you the planning forms.

You can submit either an outline or a detailed planning proposal. An outline submission contains the preliminary concept, to save preparing detailed drawings, but a detailed submission will still be required later. A detailed or full application should show the complete scheme of development. All planning applicants need to certify that they are the owners of the land, or notify the owner and confirm their consent for the development. The planning authority will then consider the application. An approval, conditional approval or rejection should be issued within 8 to 12 weeks of the application being logged by the planning office. If a rejection is issued there are procedures that allow you to appeal the decision. It may be wise to get professional advice at this stage.

There are other approvals that may be required, such as listed building consent and conservation area consent. You should ask you local planning authority if any of these might be relevant when you are requesting the forms for the planning application.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I have a say in a planning decision?

Notices of any proposed development will be displayed in the local area and might also be printed in the local press. Many large developers now publicise their schemes and try to get public comments and approval before they go into the statutory planning process, as it can be very costly for them if a scheme gets held up in planning.

If you object to a development, or support it, then you can make your views known by contacting your local planning department during the statutory consultation period. This usually lasts for 8 to12 weeks, after the developer has lodged the application with the local planning office. Planning officers must then take your views into account when making a decision or recommendation and if enough objections are made, or the scheme is of a large enough scale, it may be referred to central government or a public enquiry. After the consultation period the planning office will issue and approval, or an approval with conditions, which may take account of local objections, or a rejection. The developer can appeal against a rejection, but it is not normally possible for a member of the public to appeal against an approval.

Although there are statutory opportunities for public consultation with new development and the review of development plans it can appear a complex system; support for the public and community groups is available direct from you local planning authority, professional institutes and from organisations such as Manchester Community Technical Aid Centre.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I have a say in planning policy?

The most effective way for you to have your say is by participating in the consultation process when local authorities are drafting new versions of the Development Plan for your area. These plans are based on existing planning guidance from the local authority and central government, but they must also take into account the views of local people and other interested parties. Local Planning authorities issue a draft, which is then placed ‘on deposit’, where it is available for public scrutiny for 6 weeks, during which any objections or other recommendations must be lodged with the council. Public Examinations are then held for discussion of the proposed plan. This is all reported back to the council, and they then issue a revised draft, which is then put ‘on deposit’ for a further 6 weeks. A second set of public examinations may be held, which are followed by a final report and recommendations. The plan is then adopted by the council and forms the basis for planning decisions in the area covered. To find out about the development plan for your area contact your local planning department.

You can also talk to your local councillor or a councillor member of the planning committee, especially if you are concerned with a particular issue.

> back to questions list


Q: What is landscape architecture?

Landscape architecture is the practice of designing outdoor spaces to maximise their benefit for people and the wider environment. It involves the design of both hard (paving, seating) and soft (planting and trees) landscape. It can be small scale, such as designing a local park or seating area, but it can also cover much larger projects, such as strategic plans for whole regions.

> back to questions list


Q: What does ‘Planning’ mean?

Towns and Cities are the result of centuries of decisions made by individual owners and developers and government intervention. The statutory planning system in this country is the means by which the government aims to control the development of the built environment. The Town and Country Planning Act (1990) and the Planning and Compensation Act (1991) form the basis of the present planning system. The planning process is overseen by Planning Officers, who are employed by local authorities.

Planning policy is set by central government and local authorities and affects everyone in their daily lives. It also directly affects professionals involved in property development, as nearly all types of development require planning permission. Changes of use for existing buildings and sites might also require planning permission.

Planning Officers have two main duties. The most obvious of these is their duty to enforce planning law through development control. They make recommendations on individual development proposals submitted to them as planning applications to the local planning committee, whose members are lay councillors. They can also make decisions on behalf of the planning committee.

Planning Officers other main duty is the production of development plans. These are policy documents which cover a specific area – a borough or a city – and designate what kinds of development take place where, and what uses are appropriate for different buildings and areas. They look at the wider picture of what types of uses would be beneficial in an area and the knock on effects a development may have on things such as traffic congestion, public space and car parking. However, planners are not all powerful in dealing with urban areas. Under the present system, planners have some power over land use and development, but they have limited powers over the transport systems that connect these land uses.

Urban conservation and the preservation of historic buildings have become a major preoccupation of planning policy, especially since the majority of development in this country is carried out in relation to existing buildings and structures.

Manchester has ‘The Manchester Plan’ which is the strategic plan for the City, providing a framework for development control. For more information contact (0161) 234 4561. For information about a particular area of the city, contact the local Development Control Planner.

> back to questions list


Q: How can I find out more about architecture and the built environment?

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) which also supports the national network of independent Architecture Centres of which Cube is part is a government funded body charged with promoting the quality of the built environment and increasing public awareness of the issues involved. Architecture Week is another way of gaining an appreciation of architecture and the built environment across the country, events include open practice days, architecture tours and public talks. The Royal Institute of British Architects’ website, www.architecture.com, is also a good place to start.

> back to questions list


Q: What is Urban Design?

This relates to the process by which the built environment, described above, is designed and created. It focuses on the design of cities and towns and their network of streets, buildings and open and public spaces. This involves a number of professional disciplines and local interests including architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, local authorities and anyone else interested in the quality of the built environment.

> back to questions list


feedback  |  © cube 2010  |  web partner: kiosk