Approval of the draft law on quality in architecture in Spain
Approval of the draft law on quality in architecture in Spain,
The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the draft law on quality in architecture,
to be submitted later to the Spanish Parliament, thus initiating its parliamentary proceedings.
This is a new legislative proposal, promoted by the Ministry of Transport,
Mobility and Urban Agenda, under the direction of Minister Raquel Sanchez Jimenez.
So that it aims to protect, enhance and encourage architectural quality as an asset of public interest,
and to strengthen links that encourage architecture’s convergence with society.
Inaki Carneseiro, General Director of the Urban Agenda and Architecture,
notes that this law “has found its most appropriate context at the moment.
It is in line with several recently promot European and international initiatives,
such as the New European Bauhaus School, the Urban Agenda, the Davos Declaration and the Wave of Renewal.
It is also a necessary legislative tool for consolidating a new paradigm of economic,
biological and environmental transformation that promotes inclusion and social cohesion.
In what follows, we will present excerpts from the “Mitma” statement,
where some of the most important points are touched upon,
such as the establishment of two main bodies to direct the work and strengthen the role of public authorities.
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Architecture and Engineering Quality Council
This council seeks to bring the values of architecture closer to society,
to become a national and international standard for the dissemination and promotion of discipline as a tool of cultural diplomacy, among other things.
The second will also be established as a platform for knowledge exchange and participation,
as well as consultation and advice on matters related to the contents of this law,
such as encouraging the adoption of rules or general measures of improvement.
The quality of the architecture, or the modification of existing ones,
as well as the preparation and publication of specification forms and other documents of an indicative nature.
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Regulatory framework
It is a legislative tool that enhances the exemplary role of public administration and promotes planning for the renovation of public buildings.
Along the same lines, the draft law includes a series of amendments to Law No. 9/2017 of November 8 regarding public sector contracts,
with the aim of improving the quality of architecture promoted by the administration.
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Next Generation Credit
The law is included as Reform 4 of Component 2 of the Plan of Recovery,
Transformation and Resilience (PRTR), approved by the Spanish government to address the crisis caused by (COVID-19),
which focuses on strengthening actions to rehabilitate and improve building stock, in both urban and rural areas.
It is also part of European legislative initiatives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energies and combat energy poverty.
It will promote the implementation of the principle of “energy efficiency first”,
in accordance with Commission (EU) Recommendation 1749/21 from September 28, 2021.
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Law born from the process of public participation
In its drafting, this future law was the subject of extensive public participation,
because in addition to the previous public consultations that took place in July 2020,
a participatory, multidisciplinary process organized in six schedules took place.
Which can follow remotely and publicly, and have significant reach on networks,
including internationally.
Discussions can still be seen on the purpose-built website,
and round table discussions hold with key sectors affected, the academic and social sector,
regional administrations, professionals and schools.
Although the law was born to respond to an exceptional moment,
it also does so with the purpose of creating a global framework that is enduring over time, dynamic,
and able to adapt to new challenges and goals.
In this sense, it includes among its objectives the development of a national architectural strategy,
as a governance tool for its implementation.
