Matthew Carmona

Part 1 of this article argued that an appropriate investment in the necessary tools with which to control design is required before effective control through the planning system can be achieved. A four‐part framework for control was proposed to achieve this, incorporating: an overriding concern for urban design over architecture; the use of urban design theory to underpin policy and guidance; recognition of the value and utility of thoroughgoing area appraisal; and, based on the above, the adoption of a comprehensive hierarchy of design policies and guidance by national and local government. In Part 2 the framework is illustrated and the argument further developed by reference to current British planning practice in Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester. The analysis focuses in large part on Scotland's largest city—Glasgow, and in particular on Glasgow's city centre, where problems of decline, traffic domination and past public authority complacency are being addressed through an investment in, and focus on, urban design as part of a wider package of regenerative measures. The article concludes by adding a fifth part to the control framework previously established: encouraging a resource efficient, partnership approach to the control of urban design through planning practice.

This article takes a process approach to the control of design in British planning practice, arguing that effective control is unlikely without first an investment in appropriate tools with which to do the job. It is suggested that with the recent acceptance by central government of the vital importance of securing quality urban design, a window of opportunity now exists through which to usher a new renaissance in design control practice. A four‐part framework is developed through which to achieve this, incorporating: an overriding concern for urban design over architecture; the use of urban design theory to underpin policy and guidance; recognition of the value and utility of thoroughgoing area appraisal; and, based on the above, the adoption of a comprehensive hierarchy of design policies and guidance by national and local government. In Part 2 of the article—to be published in the next issue of this journal—the argument is further developed and illustrated in relation to some of the best in current British planning practice, utilizing the case study example of Glasgow City Centre.