The strategy sets out the agency’s vision for the coming decade – a Scotland whose places are healthy, sustainable and thriving, where everyone works together to shape their future.

Well-established research shows that the design and maintenance of our places matters to people’s wellbeing:

• Proximity to good greenspace is associated with improved mental health and wellbeing.
• People living closer to greenspace are likely to be more physically active than those who do not.
• Active travel offers physical activity and sustainable means of transport – good street design and lighting can encourage active travel, leading to health and environmental benefits.
• Places designed to be walkable can increase the potential for social connections.

Ann Allen, chair of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS), said: “The significance of place – our buildings, infrastructure and spaces, and the way we use them to live our lives – has been highlighted like never before by the Covid-19 pandemic and the on-going climate emergency.

“The climate emergency is our greatest challenge and touches almost every aspect of our lives. We believe that places created or adapted to tackle climate change are also better places for people.

“Our role will be to stimulate a step-change in how Scotland’s places are planned, designed, delivered and sustained. We will work with our partners to demonstrate what a joined-up approach looks like and the benefits it brings to people. We will use our experience and professional skills to inspire and support all those involved in creating, adapting and sustaining Scotland’s places.”

As a national organisation, Architecture and Design Scotland aims to ensure that the benefits of the Place Principle become an everyday reality. The Place Principle is an approach agreed by the Scottish Government and public sector bodies – to ensure a coordinated approach when designing or improving places – from services through to major infrastructure.

Speaking about the new corporate strategy, culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, added: “Architecture & Design Scotland plays an important role in making sure our buildings and places support and enhance the lives of Scotland’s people. This ten-year strategy is ambitious in its scope and will help guide Scotland’s design and placemaking ambitions over the next decade, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for everyone.”

Achieving the aims of the A&DS corporate strategy would see more people working together to make decisions on the future of their places. It would give an even stronger voice to the people who live in and use places, enabling their experiences to guide their design and delivery.

It would mean having helped to create well-designed buildings, spaces and places that meet the needs of those who use them. Success would be to see this approach systemically embedded across Scotland and as a consequence, the creation of well-designed buildings and places being the norm.

Jim MacDonald, chief executive of A&DS, commented: “We believe in the power of collaboration and are putting this at the heart of our new strategy which is about bringing people together to design their buildings and places. Our role is to use our design expertise to translate their needs and ambitions into a shared vision to frame the delivery of new investment. In this way we can help create well designed places and make the best use of resources in doing so.”