This document outlines a design review process for development projects. It discusses that the process should include [1] identifying key stakeholders affected by the project, [2] using enabling, educational and leadership skills to facilitate consensus, and [3] conducting an independent design review to test the design response to place, people and established criteria. The review criteria focus on promoting character, continuity, quality of the public realm, connectivity, legibility, adaptability, diversity and integration of land uses. It stresses the importance of the landscape and ensuring the commitment to delivering good design.

1. DESIGN
Residents should know their
place!

2. Out with
NIMBY

3. In with
Let
LUSTY
Us Shape This
Yard

4. Who’s US?
STAKEHOLDERS
All whose lives will be affected in a
significant way

5. Project type
determines
participants
• Building interior
• Building form and appearance
• Neighbourhood renewal
• Town or city spaces, e.g. parks
• New settlement or urban
extension
• Heritage icon / national
monument

6. More stakeholders = more
complex and difficult process
to secure consensus.
SKILLS: Enabling, Education,
Leadership

7. OPTIMUM PROCESS

8. DESIGN REVIEW
• Objective
• Independent and detached
• Tests design response to PLACE
• Tests design response to PEOPLE
• Observes well established
criteria

9. CRITICISM
ERIA

10. Indicators of design quality
Promote character in
townscape and landscape
by responding to locally
distinctive patterns of
development and culture.
Character + distinctiveness
(sense of place)

11. Promote the continuity of street
frontages and the enclosure of space by
development which clearly defines private
and public areas.
Continuity + enclosure
(sense of urbanity)
building line, enclosure, fronts and backs, height and width ratios, live edges,
projections, setbacks, public and private space, relationships, security

12. Promote high quality design of areas
between buildings through public spaces
and routes that are safe, uncluttered, active
and easily maintained.
Quality of the public
realm (sense of well being)
boundaries, entrances, events, ground floors, interface, live edges, maintenance,
management, micro-climate, overlooking, planting, public art, richness of detail

13. Promote high levels of accessibility and local
permeability by making places that connect with each
other, are easy to move through and put people before
traffic.
Connectivity +
permeability
(ease of movement)
building blocks, connectivity, hierarchy, local access, mobility, networks, permeability,
public transport, traffic calming, streets and squares, urban grain, safety

14. Promote legibility through development that provides
a system of recognisable routes, nodes and features to
orientate users.
Legibility +
identity
(ease of understanding)
civic buildings, corners, entrances, focal points, vistas, gateways, image, interpretation,
beacons, landmarks, lighting, public art, signage, street clutter, way marking

15. Promote adaptability through development that can
change with social, technological, economic and
market conditions.
Adaptability +
robustness
(ease of change)
conversions, efficiency, events, flexibility, floor-to-
ceiling heights, future uses, infrastructure, materials,
reserved sites, robustness, traffic management

16. Promote diversity through a mix of compatible uses
that work together to create lively, successful places.
Diversity +
Inclusiveness
(ease of choice)
choice, dynamism, homeworking, interaction, mixed uses and tenures,
management, natural surveillance, night-time economy, safety and security,
variety

17. Promote the integration
of land uses, transport and the natural
environment, making efficient use of its
resources and reducing the need to travel.
Integration + efficiency
(sustainability)
public transport, cycling, daylight and sunlight, density, energy conservation, ecology,
landscape, life-cycle costs, micro-climate, mixed-use, natural lighting/ventilation

18. • process
Are the client and design team committed to
delivering good design?
• Have they got the right Design Team on board.
• What consultation has been undertaken and how
have the needs and views of local people been
taken into account?
• How will the plans be translated into quality
development on the ground?

19. LANDSCAPE
the foundation of
•
place buildings
The whole scene, including
• Exists before and is changed by
development
• Most important ingredient is SPACE
• Space changes its meaning and character
when people occupy and move through it