CIC takes over inclusive design project
CIAT closely involved in BEPE initiative
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) the built environment's representative body, of which CIAT is a member, has announced it is taking over the Built Environment Professional Education (BEPE) project from the Department of Work and Pensions.
Launched by government on International Day of Disabled People in December 2013 to build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which so eloquently showcased the value to society of inclusive design in the built environment, the aim of the BEPE project has been to inspire changes to professional standards and competencies, and raise the profile of inclusive design among professional educators and students.
Two years on, with the support of government and the Greater London Authority, the BEPE project is well underway and it is now being placed in the custody of the industry sector, via CIC, to take forward and progress the work that has been started.
CIC plans for the BEPE project include a new Award of Awards to be presented at the Construction Industry Summit Dinner at Grange St Paul’s Hotel in Central London on 20 September. This new award will select a winner from among existing award winners for exceptional and inspired inclusive design in the built environment.
Speaking of the takeover, CIAT's Assistant Education Director Dr Noora Kokkarinen AFHEA said 'CIAT has been involved in the inclusive design initiative overseen by Built Environment Professional Education (BEPE) since September 2014. The Institute was the first professional body to incorporate inclusive design as a cognate skill that students and professionals must demonstrate. An updated version of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Subject Benchmark Statement (SBS) in Architectural Technology was published in October 2014 which outlines the requirements for Accreditation of Honours and Masters degrees. All existing and potential Accredited universities are required to re-map their curriculum to the new SBS and provide a plan of action as to how the revised criteria have been incorporated into the programme.
'In light of this educational addition, the Institute’s Professional Standards Framework (PSF), which outlines educational, practice and membership standards, were also amended in April 2015 to reflect CIAT’s commitment to inclusive design. All applicants qualifying as a Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT via the Institute’s Professional Assessment, must demonstrate knowledge and competence relating to inclusive design.
'Along with key policies, the Institute revised its annual Awards. Since 2015, the Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology, the Alan King Award and the Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Project) all included a distinct requirement for inclusive design.'
