当国家设计规范的想法第一次被提出时，我和许多人一样质疑一个涵盖全英格兰发展的指南能有多有用。It was encouraging, therefore, to learnthe new national model design codeis not a code in itself, but rather a guide setting out how local authorities should audit local character and create bespoke place-based standards; essentially a design guide on producing good design guidance.

There is undoubtedly much to be praised in the publication. It deals with different scales, densities, and contexts with precision, demonstrating why urban character is more complex than a discussion around style. Despite this, there are fundamental issues associated with the planning and development process that have a greater bearing on design quality, and to which characterisation and coding are inadequate responses.

Design quality begins within decisions around site allocation and the interdependence between new homes, infrastructure, jobs, and amenities. Bereft of investment and political will, it’s all too common for local authorities to bring forward sites that are most readily available as opposed to those that can support the right type of development. Even the most articulate coding is not capable of preventing poorly connected, leftover slivers of greenfield land from becoming the car-dependent cul-de-sacs of tomorrow.

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