By Design- urban design in the planning system: towards better practice (DETR and CABE, 2000)

Provides advice on implementing the Government's commitment to good design and encourages those who influence and shape development decisions to think carefully about the living environments being created. It puts across that good design is important in all contexts. It also highlights the role that the planning process can play in driving good design.

Better Public Building (CABE, 2006)

This document provides arguments and the evidence demonstrating that good design makes places work better. It provides practical advice for creating new public building that is value for money, sustainable and a source of civic pride. Better Public Buildings also sets out the steps that public bodies need to follow if they are to ensure that all those who use public services benefit from good design.

Urban Design Compendium (Llewelyn-Davies, 2007)

The Urban Design Compendium provides guidance on good urban design. It covers the principles of urban design, how they can be applied and the processes which lead to successful places. As well as guidance the Compendium also incorporates case studies explaining how these principles could be applied in practice.

Improving Standards of Design in the Procurement of Public Buildings (CABE and OGC, 2002)

Prepared to communicate the steps required to ensure further improvement in the design quality of public sector building and infrastructure projects. The document presents a number of recommendations that reinforce Government Policy.

Creating Excellent Buildings A Guide for Clients (CABE, 2003)

Provides a thorough guide to commissioning and delivering a building project successfully. It passes on the lessons learnt by CABE's enabling programme to those about to embark on a construction project for the first time. The document is divided into the four main stages of a building project - preparation, design, construction and use of the building.

Making Design Policy Work: How to Deliver Good Design through your Local Development Framework (CABE, 2005)

This document sets out five fundamental factors for good local design policies. It explains where different types of policy can fit into the different local development plan documents, and suggests key objectives for a range of design policies from landscaping to architecture.

Getting Good Value from Construction Projects Through Design (NAO, 2004)

This document has been prepared to provide auditors with an understanding of the value of good design in construction, and a firm basis for examining whether good design has been achieved in a particular project. It is primarily intended to guide internal and external auditors to making sound judgements when auditing public sector construction projects.

Design and Access Statements: How to Write, Read and Use Them (CABE, 2006)

This short guide provides information regarding how to write and read Design and Access Statements. It accompanies the Government circular 'Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System' and provides practical advice on getting the best from statements to help deliver well-designed, inclusive places.

Green Guide to Specification (Jane Anderson, David Shiers and Mike Sinclair, BRE, 2002)

The Green Guide to Specification is a document that provides guidance for people involved in building specification and design. It describes the relative environmental impacts of a wide range of construction materials and components.

Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement Guide 11; Sustainability (OGC, 2007)

This guide highlights the importance of sustainable development in construction projects throughout the decision making/delivery process. It sets out the processes by which construction projects can be procured and delivered by the public sector, while promoting sustainable development and achieving optimum whole life value for money.

Image courtesy of Enviros Consulting