ABSTRACT

Improved professionalism in the built environment seems a no-brainer. Surely better educated and more professional practitioners will make the world a better place, and they will deliver exceptional places where real people want to live and work. Over the last 30 years an element of 'over-professionalisation' has crept in to the industry; this has led to hugely increased codification and red tape — for which one then requires yet more experts and professionals to help to navigate the complexities. The planning system should promote and reward ambition and excellence, but by definition new ideas do not neatly fit the box-tick culture. Therefore, arguments in favour of innovation have to be made on an 'exception' basis and for success rely heavily on the commitment and support of (usually overstretched) case officers. Architects need to embrace professionalism, of course, but more importantly they need to re-secure a clear leadership role within the industry.