The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has presented ambitious plans for 2001-2004, and is urging the Regional Development Agencies to fund its proposals.
The plans are detailed in CABE’s Corporate Strategy 2001-2004, which was launched today along with CABE’s revamped website. In future, CABE will focus on establishing Architecture Centres in the regions and ensuring that CABE plays a leading role in the development of masterplans.
Jon Rouse, chief executive of CABE, said that the expansion would remain “specialised”, and would remain focused on CABE’s key areas. “If we try to everything we’ll do nothing well. We’re going to focus on inner city design plans, and a lot of extra resources from DTLR will go into that.”
But despite the allocation of extra Department of Culture, Media and Sport and DTLR funds from 2002, which will raise the commission’s budget from £1.9m to £3.53m, it would be impossible for CABE to realise its aims without more money.
“This budget is inadequate to the task that the government has asked CABE to undertake,” the Strategy claims. The establishment of the regional Architecture Centres alone is estimated to cost £10m a year, and the funding from DTLR is solely to develop urban masterplans.
Dr. Stephen King, CABE’s head of public affairs said: “We certainly would appreciate more funding from government. For example, DTLR have only given enough money for a limited number of urban masterplans. But all the extra funding is reliant on other government bodies, such as the Regional Development Agencies. We’re trying to get the RDAs to dig in their pockets, and believe in the need for Architecture Centres,” he said.
The Strategy makes it clear, however, that such funding is not to be taken for granted. “There may be additional income from other sources, but this is not secure at the start of the plan period,” it states.
EGi News 26/06/01
