The Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) launched its manifesto for the next Scottish Parliamentary Elections on 16 December 2010.
BEFS has a vision for Scotland that by 2020 there is an ethos of quality of place across all public bodies, supported by a built and historic environment sector with a coherent voice acting as an effective champion for excellence, where communities are at the heart of places, engaged in the planning and development process.
BEFS’ Director, Craig Stirrat, stated: “It is about acknowledging and promoting the greater value to be gained by individuals, communities and the country as a whole from putting people at the heart of places. We want to get people truly engaged and actively working with public bodies and the third sector to foster positive outcomes and quality places. We want to see people at the heart of places. ”
As the intermediary body for the built and historic environment, BEFS believes that the built and historic environment has an invaluable role to play in the wider built environment in terms of contributing to the maintenance, development and regeneration of Scotland’s communities, their culture and their economy. BEFS wishes to see a more integrated management of neighbourhoods and town and city centres that promotes investment in Scotland’s unique legacy of small towns; and an integrated strategy to support the built and historic environment sector in the delivery of sustainable place-making; a sustainability that is built on putting people at the heart of places.
Robin Burley, Chair of BEFS concluded: “Our manifesto sets out BEFS’ vision for Scotland. We are aware of the economic realities facing the built and historic environment sector but are determined to ensure that the social and environmental culture of our communities is not ignored. The sector must be valued, recognised and managed as efficiently and effectively as possible for the benefit of all. Good management of the sector will help to boost the economy and militate against the challenges facing us from climate change and an increasing ageing population. The invaluable role of historic places in contributing to the identity of place, strengthening a sense of continuity and well being must also be acknowledged. There must be a commitment from Government to long-term sustained and predictable support for the built and historic environment sector – a commitment that recognises that people must be at the heart of places.”
Notes to Editors
The Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) is a membership organisation bringing together voluntary and professional non-governmental organisations that operate at the national level and represent people who work within the built environment sector. Through its members, BEFS connects with over 325,000 individuals through 540 organisations.
As an umbrella organisation BEFS informs, mediates and advocates on strategic issues affecting both the historic and contemporary elements within the Scottish built environment. In defining the Built Environment and the Historic Environment, BEFS accepts the widest interpretation of the terms, reflecting its inclusive approach and its members are involved in a wide range of activities within the sector.
Adopting an integrated approach, our aim is to secure better places in Scotland by developing the right conditions for achieving places that are of good quality, that are valued, that work for people that are distinctly Scottish.
BEFS Article: LINK
