OK, so I might have been a bit pessimistic in my last column when I suggested that, for all the talk of everything being different after covid-19, things would go back to the way they were. We continue to be bombarded with messages that “now more than ever” we need to bridge social divisions, tackle the climate emergency, the housing crisis, air pollution, biodiversity and, of course, design quality. I whole-heartedly agree ­– but wishing is not enough. My prediction was that, within a year or so, our fear of the city (and public transport) will dissipate but unfortunately so will our good intentions, unless we do something about it now.

This has been a recurring theme in discussions over the last few months between a consortium of built environment organisations who are today launching a campaign to establish a Design Quality Unit for England (Scotland and Wales already have theirs). The Place Alliance, Design Council, Academy of Urbanism, Trees and Design Action Group, CPRE, Civic Voice and Urban Design Group are arguing that we need a small but authoritative unit that can monitor the quality of what is being delivered across the built environment, challenge, inspire and help deliver quality design. Now is the time to create an institution that can build on the momentum for change (particularly that created by the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission) which existed prior to the pandemic.

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