FAQs

Q1: Who is the guidance aimed at and how can it be used?

A1: The guidance is aimed at all of those who have an interest in shaping the places we live in. This ranges from the local communities right through to professional urban designers. Many diverse people such as planners, developers, builders, architects, registered social landlords, highways engineers and policy makers influence how places are developed and managed. Each of them will make decisions that affect the quality of places. This website aims to provide guidance to all of them, promoting an understanding of the principles of urban design and how the best projects deliver quality.

  • The UDC1 provides guidance on the principles of urban design and how these can be applied in practice. This can be used to help both design places which incorporate these principles and to evaluate the quality of design proposals.
  • The UDC2 provides guidance on how urban design quality can be supported in the delivery process to ensure that places delivered reflect design aspirations. It highlights many of the barriers which often prevent quality designs from being realised and provides guidance on how these can be overcome.
  • The case studies provide guidance on how specific principles have been delivered and barriers overcome. These are intended both to help those facing similar challenges understand what can be achieved, and to inspire people to aim higher. To enable case studies to be used as a best practice resource for all those involved in the built environment a summary of each case study can be printed from the page or individual images requested.

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Q2: Why have English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation produced these documents?

A2: Over the last decade English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation have led the way on behalf of the public sector in promoting innovation in the design of projects they fund.

English Partnerships has always emphasised the importance of design and quality and has put the latest thinking into practice in its projects and those of its partners. All projects are required to meet minimum quality standards, but many go further still. Over the past decade English Partnerships has pioneered use of collaborative design approaches, design codes, sustainability standards (notably at the Millennium Communities and Carbon Challenge) and innovative construction methods.

The Housing Corporation enjoys a similar track record, with commitment to the provision of good quality homes and good value for money stems back several decades. The Corporation has worked with the housing association movement to develop a design and quality strategy and guidelines that combine innovation, flexibility and quality in built design. These reflect the Corporation’s experience of delivering projects across a range of different scenarios and communities.

Guidance works best with the practical experience, opportunities and constraints provided by "live" projects. Both partners are able not only to develop guidance but also, through their own development and regeneration work, to test, demonstrate and communicate the lessons learned.

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Q3: What did English Partnerships do?

A3: English Partnerships was the national force for regeneration and development. Their aim was to deliver high-quality, well-designed, sustainable places for people to live, work and enjoy. English Partnerships firmly believed in the importance of good urban design and environmental sustainability. Through policy developments they encourage: sustainable approaches to living throughout their developments, a mix of uses and tenures to create lively places to live and work and innovation in design and construction of the built environment.

Through collaborative design workshops they ensure new developments enjoy vibrant but safe streets and places, and high-quality public realm. By encouraging an inclusive approach to design, they created environments that can meet the needs of all users. In this way English Partnerships can continue to play an important role in promoting best practice in design quality and sustainability in the regeneration and development industry.

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Q4: What does the Housing Corporation do?

A4: The Housing Corporation regulates Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in England and invests in the new housing they provide. The Corporation’s role and strategy reflected the rapid growth of the RSL sector. This is as a result of both the transfer of local authority housing to new or existing RSLs and of new development and regeneration, supported with a mix of public and private funding. In all aspects of RSLs’ work, the Corporation encouraged quality in design and service standards and recognises the need for close cooperation with residents and other agencies. This is to ensure that resources were used to best effect to create sustainable communities.

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Q5: When were the original documents published?

A5: The Urban Design Compendium 1 (UDC1) was published in 2000. Since this time over 25,000 copies of the UDC1 have been requested worldwide. It is now considered a key text in the teaching and practice of urban design. Translations of the UDC1 are also underway in China, South Korea and Serbia.

The second edition of the UDC1 was published in September 2007. No changes have been made to the main text however the introduction has been revised.

The Urban Design Compendium 2: Delivering Quality Places (UDC2) was published in September 2007. This incorporates the delivery experience of English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation and project team with best practice in delivering quality places.

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Q6: I have some images of one of the case studies, how can I upload them to the site?

A6: We welcome new images, plans and tools that relate to the existing case studies. If you would like to send these in please complete the form on Have Your Say, letting us know the name of the project and the type of files you would like to submit.

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Q7: I have a suggestion for an additional case study, how do I contact the site?

Q7: We welcome all suggestions for new case studies. If you have a suggestion please complete the form on Have Your Say page, letting us know the name and location of the project, a summary of the project and the area it demonstrates innovation or best practice.

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Q8: Can I access other English Partnerships and Housing Corporation publications on design?

A8: Links to other publications are included on the links page and on the relevant guidance pages.

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Q9: Who was involved in producing the Urban Design Compendium and the Urban Design Compendium 2?

A9: The Urban Design Compendium was prepared for English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation by Llewelyn Davies. The Urban Design Compendium 2: Delivering Quality Places was prepared for English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation by a team led by Roger Evans Associates Ltd (REAL).