Tools, processes and research

(21) PANORAMA NETHERLANDS

Panorama Netherlands presents a panoramic view of how the Netherlands can change over the next few decades, against the backdrop of major changes in society. The Dutch Board of Government Advisors developed the panorama to inspire the creators of the Dutch National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the Environment. It is intended to be a first step towards a shared, recognisable and positive vision of the future in 2050. In addition, it proposes a number of starting points to setting up a judicious and widely supported strategy for the future organisation of the country. Panorama Netherlands is a publication as well as a physical panorama: a 360-degree inspiration at eye level which gives its visitors a view of the future.

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(22) DESIGN REVIEWS (IRELAND)

RIAI Design Reviews are an innovative way for local authorities or clients to explore the potential of a project or site and develop wide-ranging ideas through expert architectural advice. The RIAI, the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland, assembles a panel of five to six architects with expertise relevant to a respective project. Architects are generally experienced in solving problems and their unique ability to analyse complex issues and develop design solutions is of great benefit to communities. The architects involved in the design reviews receive a detailed briefing before developing ideas, including research of relevant international examples. The ideas are shared through reports, films and public engagement – public feedback is incorporated into a final report. The Design Review Report then informs the next development stage, such as a masterplan or spatial framework. The objective is to stimulate thinking and discussion among the public and other stakeholders on the possible ways of developing or redeveloping an area. Design Reviews focus on a particular neighbourhood or urban quarter with a view to kick starting the imagination with creative ways for these areas to be redeveloped. Communities across Ireland can benefit from architectural expertise early on in urban regeneration. Local authorities and semi-state bodies tasked with regeneration or developing brownfield sites for creating new sustainable neighbourhoods can also request design reviews from the RIAI.

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(23) IMMERSIVE RESIDENCIES PROGRAMMES (FRANCE)

The immersive residencies programmes in France (the ‘Preuve par 7’ project and the ‘Ateliers hors les murs’) aim to reinvent planning methods outside the traditional commissioning framework in order to revitalise disadvantaged areas through culture and architecture. The objective is to champion bottom-up and participative approaches by setting up multidisciplinary teams of young professionals whose mission is to open dialogue between local authorities and residents, create levers for an alternative economy in rural and urban areas, highlight the collective memory of a territory and support local stakeholders in conceptualising and designing their project. The teams are allowed to experiment and deviate from certain building regulations.

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(24) OPEN CALL (FLEMISH-SPEAKING BELGIUM)

The Open Call is one of the main tools of the Vlaams Bouwmeester (government architect) to promote the quality of the built environment in Flanders (Belgium). It is a unique and innovative method of selecting designers for public commissions by Flemish regional and local authorities, based on a two-phase design competition that complies with public procurement law and European competition rules. The open call enhances the quality of public buildings and spaces – and therefore the living environment.

Ideas and visualisations provoke reactions, and that lead to the fine-tuning of a project on the part of the stakeholders. This contributes significantly to establishing a planning and building culture. As part of the open call, the Vlaams Bouwmeester challenges several design teams to visualise the project brief, which in turn challenges public administrations in a positive way and helps them make a considered design choice.

Findings and observations

• Developing projects together with users and local stakeholders has a positive effect on a community’s sense of belonging. A good example of public participation is the immersive residencies programme. Architectural interventions can be developed and promoted as close as possible to users, thanks to this and similar programmes.
• There is a need for experimentation (permis de faire), design by research and design thinking, since these are vital for creating free space in which the futures of spaces can be researched.
• National architecture funds with grants for experimental approaches, such as the Creative Industries Fund in the Netherlands, can help initiatives to conduct spatial research and develop new ways of collaboration to face the major challenges that concern the built environment.
• Forward-thinking models, such as Panorama Netherlands, can help to visualise and research the future of spaces. With Panorama Netherlands, the Dutch Board of Government Advisors leads the way in showing how the complex issues of today can lead to welcoming changes in the future.