Government Policy on Architecture 2009 – 2015 - Department of Arts ...

It is also an objective of this <strong>Policy</strong> that the creation of healthy and vibrant environments is pursuedin terms of sustainable settlement patterns and urban design place-making and with particularreference to the review undertaken by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland in the PublicationHealth Impacts of the Built Environment 11 .The objectives set out in the <strong>Government</strong>’s policy statement on architecture span many areas ofresponsibility, are long term and have no single resolution. The development and implementationof architecture policy is both a short-term and a long-term project. In the context of action alreadybeing taken, <strong>Government</strong> has selected to advance its objectives for architecture further over thenext seven years with emphasis on four central themes:−−establishing a robust evidence base for architecture policy and building research capacity in the area;−−leading by example in procuring high quality buildings, setting new standards of excellence inbuilding performance and architectural quality;−−promoting the production of a sustainable built environment through greater integration ofarchitectural input in the planning process;−−promoting awareness and understanding and the demand for high quality in architecture.The <strong>Policy</strong> actions 2009-2015 continue to advance the six principles set out in May 1997. Indeciding how these should be given expression in 2009, the approach of the <strong>Government</strong> isstructured around 15 key statements, listed below. These statements set the context for 45Actions to be taken over that period, involving <strong>Government</strong> Departments, public authorities andother state-funded bodies.14 <strong>Government</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> on Architecture 2009 – 2015