Inclusive Environments, Built Environment Industry Action Plan
On 25 February 2015, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) set out a new construction industry action plan to make buildings and public spaces more inclusive.
This follows on from, and builds upon, the successful inclusive design of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Park.
On 24 February 2015, Minister for Communities Stephen Williams MP and Minister for Disabled People Mark Harper MP jointly chaired a meeting of senior professionals from the construction industry to review their plans for promoting and integrating inclusive design into working practice.
They published a short document ‘Inclusive Environments, Built Environment Industry Action Plan’ which committed to:
- Reviewing competencies, including vocational courses, to ensure inclusive environments are properly supported.
- Collaborating on industry wide and sectoral continuing professional development (CPD).
- Rewarding excellence and celebrating success.
- Championing inclusive design through leadership and promoting awareness.
- Collaborating on research, innovation and continual improvement across industry.
- Communicating best practice to members and encouraging knowledge sharing between professional institutions via the Inclusive Environments Hub.
The action plan brings together 14 key organisations and a wider network of construction industry partners through the Construction Industry Council (CIC) who have committed to raise profile and champion inclusive design. It is a rolling programme of measures to make buildings, streets and public spaces more inclusive and accessible to all. Signatories to the action plan will prepare a report on the progress that has been made, and their plans to update the action plan, and present this to the Minister for Building Regulations and the Minister for Disabled People in February 2016.
John Mathers, Design Council CEO said: “Our goal is to ensure that creating inclusive environments for everyone becomes the standard approach to planning, design, construction and management practice.” Ref Gov.uk Creating inclusive buildings and design 25 February 2015.
Mark Harper MP, Minister for Disabled People said: “There are 12.2 million disabled people in the UK. They and their households have an estimated spending power of over £200bn… Yet the reality is that many disabled people still face barriers in their everyday lives that prevent them from being full and active members of their community. Removing the obstacles that disabled people face is the responsibility of all of us. Inclusive design is at the heart of this."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Access consultant.
- Access and inclusion in the built environment: policy and guidance.
- Accessible London.
- CABE.
- Changing lifestyles.
- Construction Industry Council
- Design Council.
- Equality Act.
- Inclusive design.
- Older people.
- People with disabilities.
- Smart cities.
- Special educational needs: an analysis of the necessities for inclusion
Featured articles and news
Delivering for tenants; National Retrofit Hub
New report offers recommendations to strengthen energy efficiency standards to protect private renters.
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.