A Better London For Everyone: Mayor Launches New Framework To Help Diversify Architecture In London

London is a city that prides itself on its architecture, with iconic structures such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the Shard defining the city's skyline. However, it is also a city with a diverse population, and until recently, the architecture sector has not been as diverse. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has taken a step towards creating a more inclusive sector with the launch of the Architecture and Urbanism (A+U) Framework. The framework is designed to provide a diverse panel of built environment consultants and make it easier for public sector organisations to commission high-quality expertise for certain types of projects.

The new A+U Framework has been created to replace the Architecture Design and Urbanism Panel 2 (ADUP2), which was established in 2018. The ADUP2 was used by 45 public organisations a total of 163 times to procure over ￡45m worth of professional services. Following a rigorous procurement process, the final 96 places on the new framework have been awarded to 65 suppliers. All successful suppliers were assessed across a two-stage procurement process to ensure their suitability to meet the aims of the framework.

More than half of the places on the Framework have been awarded to ‘diverse-led’ enterprises. These are businesses where at least half of their executive leadership identifies as female, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, disabled, and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This diversity is essential to ensure that the architectural sector is more representative of the wider population of London.

The A+U Framework is organised into ten different categories of work to ensure high standards at every stage of the design process. It can be used by the Greater London Authority Group and other public sector commissioning authorities to appoint high-quality architectural, place-making, and urban planning design services for a range of built environment projects. The ten categories of work are:

• Architecture – Residential
• Architecture – Civic and Public Realm
• Architecture – Cultural
• Architecture – Commercial and Workplace
• Architecture – Education and Health
• Architecture – Transport and Infrastructure
• Architecture – Regeneration
• Urban Design
• Landscape Design
• Strategic Planning and Policy

The A+U Framework is an essential step towards creating a more diverse architecture sector in London. It will help public sector organisations to commission high-quality expertise quickly and easily while ensuring that the sector is more representative of the wider population. The framework is designed to ensure that projects are developed in response to the inequalities highlighted by the pandemic and support a sustainable and equitable recovery. It will also respond to the climate crisis and design for net-zero while supporting London's economic recovery.

In addition to the A+U Framework, the Mayor of London has launched the Good Growth by Design program, which sets out the principles for the design of the built environment in London. The program focuses on ten principles, including sustainability, social value, and promoting diversity and inclusion. The A+U Framework and the Good Growth by Design program are essential steps towards creating a better London for everyone.

Bottom Line

The launch of the Architecture and Urbanism Framework is a significant step towards creating a more diverse and inclusive architecture sector in London. It will help public sector organisations to commission high-quality expertise quickly and easily while ensuring that the sector is more representative of the wider population. The framework will ensure that projects respond to the inequalities highlighted by the pandemic and support a sustainable and equitable recovery, respond to the climate crisis and design for net-zero, and support London's economic recovery. The A+U Framework, along with the Good Growth by Design program, will create a better London for everyone.