The Value of Urban Design

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissioned the Barlett School of Planning at the University of London to investigate the economic, social and environmental value added by good urban design. The aim was to start, by means of an analysis of selected commercial developments, to provide evidence of whether, and how, good urban design added value in these three areas. It is hoped that by providing evidence to back up what is already known intuitively about the benefits of well-designed spaces and places, both private and public sectors will be encouraged to invest adequately in high-quality urban design.

The research found that good urban design: adds economic, social and environmental value and does not necessarily cost more or take longer to deliver: delivers high investment returns for developers and investors by meeting a clear occupier demand that also helps to attract investors: enhances workforce performance and satisfaction and increases occupier prestige: delivers economic benefits by opening up new investment opportunities and delivering more successful regeneration: helps to deliver places accessible to and enjoyed by all: benefits all stakeholders - investors, developers, designers, occupiers, public authorities and everyday users of developments

The report, The Value of Urban Design, is published by Thomas Telford (ISBN 0 7277 2981 0, price £25.00).

It is available from Thomas Telford Ltd.
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