The Catalan Government approves the Architecture Bill
The Architecture Bill establishes the public nature of architecture and develops measures for its promotion and dissemination, as well as for the fostering and encouragement of architectural quality. The Bill moves on to the Parliament, where we expect its proceedings during the upcoming term.
Read here the text approved on August 4, 2015.
As the Catalan Minister of Territory and Sustainability, Santi Vila, announced in February during an event at the COAC, the Executive Council of the Catalan Government has finally approved the Bill of Architecture. Thus, the Bill has now to overcome its parliamentary process.
Two years of intense work, with the support of the COAC
This legislative initiative originated two years ago when the Catalan Government, with the leadership of the Minister of Territory and Sustainability, Santi Vila, and the support of the COAC, decided to start the drafting of the future Law of Architecture.
The COAC has worked closely with the Department of Territory and Sustainability during all the process, joining efforts in this common goal. The COAC participated in the workgroup that set the first guidelines and, afterwards, in the committee that elaborated the draft bill. All this work has been possible thanks to the support and implication of colleagues and associations such as Arquitectes per l’Arquitectura.
Content of the Bill
The Bill, based on the establishment of the value of architecture as a public good, develops measures to foster and promote architecture and to encourage and sponsor architectural quality, both in building construction and in public spaces and planning.
The text recognizes the social value of architecture and establishes measures for the promotion, fostering and teaching of architecture and its effect on our living conditions. In this regard, actions by the public administration through various instruments are foreseen, from the creation of the Catalan Council of Architectural Quality as a government advisory body, to fostering specific local policies.
In the field of public contracting, the Bill contains measures to guarantee that architectural quality gets a predominant role in assessment criteria. It also handles the continuity between architectural project and construction management, as well as the appropriate composition of juries and the establishment of guidelines for bidding values in public tenders. In addition, it seeks to promote that procedures will allow young graduates into the profession.
At the European level
In recent years, the European Union has implemented directives and resolutions which highlight the contribution made by architecture in urban and rural environments, acknowledging its major role in public policies.
Accordingly, the EU has recommended the promotion of architectural quality by fostering its values among the citizens and adopting exemplary policies of public construction. However, these directives have not yet been transposed in Spain and other European countries. Therefore, the new Catalan Architecture Bill becomes an international benchmark.
The COAC is confident that, once approved by the Catalan Parliament, the Law of Architecture will respond to the needs of society, architecture and architects of the present and the future, improving the knowledge and social awareness of the importance of architecture and the work made by architects.
Nace la Revista de los Corresponsales, un nuevo canal informativo de la Red del COAC
43 arquitectos, 35 países, 5 continentes
Actualmente la Red ya cuenta con 43 arquitectos en 35 países de los 5 continentes. La Red de Corresponsales del COAC, que comenzó su camino hace más de dos años, está formada por un grupo de arquitectos que trabajan fuera de nuestro territorio y que, de manera voluntaria, están al servicio de los arquitectos colegiados que están interesados en la internacionalización. Su mandato consiste en dar a los arquitectos consejo y un primer asesoramiento que les facilite una integración más rápida a los nuevos entornos sociales y culturales escogidos para desarrollar la profesión. Los colegiados, de esta manera, reciben una información de alto valor, totalmente actualizada y facilitada de primera mano.
Te invitamos a consultar estos artículos y todo el resto haciendo clic en este enlace. Periódicamente se irán añadiendo nuevos contenidos, estad atentos!
Quieres saber más de la Red de Corresponsales? Per disfrutarla hace falta estar colegiado, encuentra más información aquí.
The new Correspondents' Journal is available
In the journal you will find, for instance, a chronicle of the Sarajevo Architectural Festival, written by our correspondent in Bosnia Herzegovina, Relja Ferusic; and an article comparing the Sagrada Familia with the Sidney Opera, by Cristina Aranzubia and Vitor Olivar, correspondents in Sydney. You will also find an explanation of the legal framework, approval of projects and building permits in Germany, reported by Carlos Vidal, correspondent in Frankfurt.
We invite you to read the journal here.
The COAC Correspondents' Network has currently 43 architects in 35 countries around the world. The network, which started two years ago, is formed by a group of architects that work abroad and volunteer as point of contact for COAC members who are interested in internationalisation. Their aim is to give members an initial advice and counseling that facilitates a fastest integration to their new international professional, social and cultural environments. This way, member architects receive high value, fully actualized and first-hand information.
Do you want to know more about the COAC Correspondents' Network? You will find more information here (membership is required).
Neix la Revista dels Corresponsals, un nou canal informatiu de la Xarxa del COAC
43 arquitectes, 35 països, 5 continents
Actualment la Xarxa ja compta amb 43 arquitectes a 35 països dels 5 continents. La Xarxa de Corresponsals del COAC, que va començar el seu camí ja fa més de dos anys, està formada per un grup d’arquitectes que treballen fora del nostre territori i que, de manera voluntària estan al servei dels arquitectes col·legiats que estan interessats en la internacionalització. El seu mandat consisteix en donar als arquitectes consell i un primer assessorament que els faciliti una integració més ràpida als nous entorns socials i culturals triats per desenvolupar la professió. Els col·legiats, d’aquesta manera, reben una informació d’alt valor, totalment actualitzada i facilitada de primera mà.
Et convidem a consultar aquests articles i tota la resta clicant en aquest enllaç. Periòdicament se n’aniran afegint de nous, estigueu atents!
Vols saber més de la Xarxa de Corresponsals? Per gaudir-ne cal estar col·legiat, troba més informació aquí.