A new construction industry action plan to make buildings and public spaces more inclusive has been set out by minister for communities Stephen Williams and minister for disabled people Mark Harper.
The Inclusive Environments: Built Environment Industry Action Plan has been signed by 14 organisations from the built environment including the CIOB.
Building on the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Park, which set world-class standards for inclusion, the action plan includes measures to make buildings, streets and public spaces more inclusive and accessible to all.
The action plan has been coordinated by the Design Council CABE.
Under the action plan, the CIOB has committed to promote the planning, design, construction, development and management of inclusive environments by:
- Reviewing competencies including vocational courses, to ensure inclusive environments are properly supported;
- Collaborating on industry-wide and sectoral CPD;
- Rewarding excellence and celebrating success;
- Championing inclusive design through leadership and promoting awareness;
- Collaborating on research, innovation and continual improvement across industry;
- Communicating best practice to members and encouraging knowledge sharing between professional institutions via an Inclusive Environments Hub.
The CIOB’s deputy chief executive, Bridget Bartlett, who is also chair of the CIC’s diversity panel, said: “The built environment says something about who we are. It influences our lives and we must ensure that it reflects the needs, and standards, of today, not those of the past.
“Construction is more than a mere industry – it is a fundamental part of society and those who manage within it can shape it for generations yet to come. To build really healthy communities all sections of society should be catered for within our structures and infrastructure. Buildings that don’t work for people have no place in their future.”
Minister for communities Stephen Williams added: “In October last year we issued a challenge to key players in the construction industry to create buildings, places and spaces that work better for everyone by making inclusion a key part of their work.
“The action plan we have seen today is a great start in making a more inclusive built environment a reality.
“The British construction industry is full of highly skilled professionals who rightly have a world class reputation – we want to keep them leading the way in building the most accessible and inclusive country in the world.”
