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ACE Mid-Term Policies Brief
Issue November 2006

I. ACCESS TO THE PROFESSION AND THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT         2

I.1 Education and Training issues - Qualifications......................................................... 2
I.2 Registration / Licensing......................................................................................... 3
I.3 Research, Development, Innovation........................................................................ 3

II. PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE & TRADE IN SERVICES OF THE PROFESSION 4

II.1 Internal Market Strategy  ………………………………………………………….............. 4

     Directive on Services in the Internal Market…………………………............. …………..4

II.2 Competition Policy Issues………………………………………………………................ 5
II.3 Procurement of Architectural Services…………………………………………………….. 6

II.4 Trade in Services ……………………………….......................................... …………..7

II.5 Health & Safety................................................................................................... 8

III. ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE IN SOCIETY                9

III.1 Environment and Sustainable Architecture……………………………………………..... 9
Sustainable Construction and Standardisation – Competitiveness of the Construction Sector (DG Enterprise) ….......................................................................................................... …………..9

       Energy Efficiency in Buildings………………………………..................... …………..10

III.2 Urban Issues.................................................................................................... 10
III.3  Housing........................................................................................................... 12
III.4 European Forum for Architectural Policies Architectural Policies and the European Institutions        12
III.5 Relations with the European Parliament
Inter-group Urban.Logement……………............................................... …………..14
FOCOPE......................................................................................................... 15
III.6  EU Institutions & Architectural Quality............................................................... 15

IV. Communication                      16


 

I. ACCESS TO THE PROFESSION

I.1 Education and Training - Qualifications (Ref.: AG2_06_BN_Educ) (AG2/06/BN-QD)

 

State of Play
Representatives of the Member States and of the Commission met in June in the context of the implementation of the Article 56 of Qualifications Directive 2005/36 (comitology).  The agenda featured primarily issues of procedure and the adoption of the internal rules of the future Regulatory Committee.   The Committee has adopted its internal rules of procedure, which will allow for the effective involvement of the professions.  Representatives of the professions can be invited as observers to the meetings when relevant items of interest to them are on the agenda.  The Commission is expected to create soon the expert groups that are to advise the Regulatory Committee in the future. In June the ACE met with the Commission (see item I.2 below).  The cooperation between ACE and EAAE through the Joint Working Party is further developing.  The JWP met in June and November and it is also pursuing its constructive dialogue with the Commission.
In June, the Executive Board decided to establish an Expert Work Group on the Qualifications Directive (EWGQD) to assist the ACE Member Organisation during the transposition period of Directive 2005/36 and it appointed Toal O’Muire (RIAI, Ireland) as its Chairman.
After careful consideration and on the recommendation of the General Coordination meeting the Executive Board decided to abandon the project to develop a CPD Label for the time being and to revise instead the existing Guidelines Document of 2004 so that it includes more practical guidance on what a system of CPD for architects should contain, information that has been developed as part of the CPD Label Project. As a consequence Delegates to the General Assembly will find in their papers a proposed revised set of guidelines for adoption.
Highlight
An Information and Lobby Note (guideline) prepared by the Expert Work Group on the Qualifications Directive was circulated to all ACE Members to assist them in their national contacts for the implementation of the Qualifications Directive that must be transposed by the Member States by the deadline of 20 October 2007.
ACE aims
To seek to guarantee that the new interface between the profession, the European Commission and the Member States for the implementation of the Qualifications Directive, effectively provides for the adequate consultation of the profession in the new comitology procedure, and beyond to reinforce its input.
Related issues
Services in the Internal Market (SIM) – Registration/licensing - Bologna process – Better law-making

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Access to the Profession – Coordinator: Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected])
Work Group 'Education' – Chairman: Jean-Paul Scalabre, SA France ([email protected])
On-going co-ordination needed with the Special WG on Services in the Internal Market, SIM-WG.
Chair: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected]) and with the Work Group Registration/Licensing, Chair Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected])- Expert Work Group Qualifications Directive, Chair: Toal O’Muire, RIAI Ireland ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table
- To effectively monitor the transposition process of Directive 2005/36 in the Member States.
- To monitor the effective involvement of the profession in the future consultation mechanism of the Qualifications Directive (on-going).
- To further enhance the co-operation with the EAAE (on-going).
- To prepare for the future implementation of the Directive on Services in the Internal Market (SIM) concerning training activities.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Internal Market, European Parliament, Member States.
Strategic co-operation: European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE); other regulated professions notably those in Club Profile; European Forum for Architectural Policies.

I.2   Registration/Licensing  (Ref.: AG2_06_BN-REG)

State of Play
The ISF (Information Exchange system and Fiche) proposal has been finalised by the Work Group and is submitted to the Assembly for endorsement. 
Deriving from this work it the Executive Board has decided to create a new, Expert Work Group on the issue of professional experience (the period between academic qualification and licensing).
Highlight
The ACE has already taken informal steps to coordinate the ISF project with the Commission’s own Internal market Information (IMI) system, in such a way that the ISF could be complementary and used as a reference tool in that context.  The Commission is not opposed to the idea.
ACE aims
To reinforce registration and licensing procedures where they exist as a means to control the level of qualifications and hence to give consumers more guarantees, and to foster the adoption of similar functions in countries where there is no formal registration procedure.  To seek to develop a profile of “European architect” that responds to the requirements of increased mobility of services within the European Union and in global trade.
Related issues
Qualifications – Services in the Internal Market – Competition – Better Law-making.

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Access to the Profession – Coordinator: Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected])
Work Group Registration/Licensing - Chairman: Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected]) - - New Work Group on Professional Experience, Chair: Michel proces

Next steps for ACE and time table:
- The General Assembly of the ACE to adopt the proposed Information Exchange System known as the ISF and to mandate the Executive Board to work out the manner in which the ISF is to be implemented.
- To decide on the winding up of the Work Group.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Internal Market (and possibly also DG Education & Culture), European Parliament, Member States.
Strategic co-operation: European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE); other professions, notably  those in Club Profile.

I.3   Research, Development, Innovation (Ref.: AG2_06_BN-Research) (AG2_06_BN-Projects)

State of Play
The Executive Board has decided that according to the task under consideration the ACE Work Group Research will function either as a Work Group in the interface with the EU Institutions or as a Debate Work Group.
The ECTP Clients & Users Advisory Group (chaired by the City of The Hague – Eurocities) met in June as well as the High Level Group (HLG).   The Support Group met in September and Jesus Rodriguez (Spain, Dragados - Contractor) was re-elected Chairman.
The ECTP Assembly will be held in Versailles on 21-22 November.  Laszlo Miko, Chairman of the WG, and Adrian Joyce will represent the ACE at the meeting. 
The FP7 was adopted during summer and the Specific Programmes are nearing completion.  
There are real opportunities for the architectural profession in several programmes.
A special Event took place in June to mark the 10th anniversary of the ECCREDI.
The ACE is a participant in the EPBD Platform (Energy Performance of Buildings).  Prof. Owen Lewis, Chairman of the WG Environment & Sustainable Architecture, represented the ACE in the second meeting, at the end of September.
Highlights
New developments in three External Projects in which the ACE is a partner:
A launch event of the Build-for-All Reference Manual took place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg during the Plenary session, on 15 November.  It was jointly sponsored by three Inter-groups: Disability, Ageing and Urban.Housing.
The first TCA Award for the best communication campaign was awarded in Riga on 26 October (Alain Sagne was present). Livia Tirone was a member of the Jury on ACE’s behalf.
Adrian Joyce attended a preliminary meeting of the proposed National Construction Technology Platform in Ankara (Turkey) in September as part of the ENABLE Project.  This platform is led by the Chamber of Architects of Turkey, which the Commission representative has welcomed.
ACE aims
To ensure that architecture and related issues of interest for the profession will be given a higher profile in EU R&D programmes and activities.  ACE participates in generic and corporate activities while seeking to stimulate a renewed interest among its Members for research as an important vector to advance architectural policies.
Related issues
Education – Professional profile – Environment & sustainable issues – Urban issues – Health & Safety – Cultural heritage.

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Access to the Profession - Coordinator: Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected])
Work Group ' Research' Chairman: Laszlo Miko, Hungary ([email protected])
and ACE Secretariat

Next steps for ACE and time table
- To continue to monitor developments in EU FP7 Research Programme, directly and also through ECCREDI and its involvement in the ECTP work.
- To stimulate its Members to ensure a more active participation of its experts in the relevant activities, notably through the expert database (on-going).

ACE main interlocutors: DG Research, DG Environment, DG Transport and Energy.
Relevant co-operations: ECCREDI, ECF, EUROCITIES, European Disability Forum, Energie-Cites, CEMR .

 

II. PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE & TRADE IN SERVICES OF THE PROFESSION

II.1  Internal Market Strategy for Services (Ref: AG2_06_BN-SIM, AG2_06_BN-Sector)

- Directive on Services in the Internal Market (SIM)
State of Play
The legislative process of the Directive on Services in the Internal Market is nearing completion. The second reading in the European Parliament was concluded by a positive vote in plenary sitting in Strasbourg on Thursday 15th November on the basis of the Common Position adopted by the Council in July.  It means that there will be no conciliation procedure necessary and it is expected that the Directive will be definitively adopted by the end of the year or early in 2007 and it must be transposed by the end of 2009/beginning of 2010.
The European Services Platform -ESP is an informal platform for exchange of information and views on Services in the Internal Market and was set up as a joint initiative of the European Services Forum –ESF and UNICE (it is currently chaired by Alain Sagne and co-chaired by a representative from UNICE). It met again in June.  The future of the ESP is uncertain and, to a certain extent, linked to the decision of the Members of the ESF in respect of its future operations (see item II.4).
Work on the Sector Study was effectively started during summer with two questionnaires circulated to all ACE Members, the previous COAC/UIA questionnaire, to double check the information, and a new internal questionnaire prepared by the ACE Secreatriat. The Executive Board firmly believes that the execution of the Sector Study for the architectural profession remains a matter of high importance.
Highlight
The ACE and its Members must take a pro-active approach to meeting the expectations and provisions of this important piece of legislation and the ACE should proactively prepare for the implementation of the Directive and it should, in particular, concentrate on the requirements in relation to the quality of services.  In practice this means progressing work on the development of a Quality Charter for architectural practice (the development of which has been entrusted to Michel Proces), progressing work on Continuing Professional Development and systems to demonstrate that the profession takes lifelong learning seriously, progressing work on the Deontological Code so as it reflects the provisions of the Directive, progressing work on Liability and Insurance and finally progressing work on Dispute Resolution and redress.
ACE aims
To obtain that the Commission adopts a coherent, holistic and co-ordinated approach towards the regulated liberal professions, in particular as regards architectural services. To ensure therefore that the policies and measures that will be adopted in future are coherent with other priority policies of the Union, such as consumer protection, whilst adequately taking care of the public interest.
Related issues
Qualifications – Registration/licensing – Quality Assurance - Professional Profile - Competition – Better Law-making – Consumer protection – Public Procurement - Continuing Professional Development

Those in charge in ACE
SIM Special Working Group, Chair: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table
- To monitor the definitive adoption and publication of the SIM Directive in the next months.
- To further explore the ways and means to engage in a comprehensive quality policy for architectural services (ongoing).
- To pursue the regular exchange with other regulated professions, notably those in Club Profile, and to explore opportunities for common actions, if appropriate (ongoing).
- Those ACE Members that have not yet responded to the Questionnaires circulated by the ACE Secretariat are urged to do so without delay.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Internal Market, DG Competition, European Parliament, Member States.
Strategic co-operation: other regulated professions, particularly those in Club Profile.

II.2  Competition Issues (Ref: AG2_06_BN-Comp) (AG2_06_BN_CIS)

State of Play
The revised ACE Discussion Document on Competition Policy has been revised so that no policy statements are made but that a general discussion on each of the relevant issues is included leaving it to Member Organisations to decide how they will deal with these issues. The Executive Board has carefully considered the content and it has asked the Work Group to finalise and consolidate the document so that it will serve as a guidance document.
The Executive Board has decided to then wind up the existing Work Group.
On the other hand, work in the area of competition issues and competitiveness will continue.  In particular careful work on developing a model for Cost Information Systems is to proceed and the proposed Terms of Reference for this work are included in the papers of the General Assembly. The EB has appointed Philip Rigdway, France, to lead that work (Thematic Work Area “Practice of Architecture & Trade in Services”).
Highlights
National Competition Authorities are actively pursuing their review of the need and justification of rules for professional services, notably in respect of the adequacy of tariffs and Deontology Rules, for instance in Poland (decision with a fine), Finland and Baltic Countries.
In Italy, a Decree has banned all reference to fee scales, whether for private or public works, and the Commission has asked Germany to change its HOAI system within the next five years, and it has invited Slovenia to take steps towards taking measures to eliminate reference to fee scales.
At the beginning of September a delegation of the ACE met with DG Competition officials primarily to clarify the issue of what cost information can be devised and how it can be published.  The outcome of the meeting was disappointing.
ACE aims
To seek to convince the Commission that it should amend its current purely economic approach to competition policy so as to take more account of the specific features of the regulated professions and therebyrecognise the difference between intellectual services having a societal impact and ancillary or commercial services, in particular architectural services.
Related issues
Qualifications - Services in the Internal Market – Public Procurement – Better Law-making

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Practice & Trade in Architectural Services - Special Working Group ‘SIM’ Coordinator: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected]) - Work Group 'Competitiveness/Payment for architects’, Chair: Wolfgang Haack, BAK, Germany ([email protected]) - Expert Work Group ‘Cost Information Systems’, Chair: Philip Ridgway, CNOA, France ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table: ongoing activity
- To adopt the guidance document entitled “Guidelines on competition issues”.
- To actively develop the work started on cost information systems.
- To monitor further developments at European level and in the Member States (National Competition Authorities).
- To pursue its efforts to influence the EU institutions on the basis of the work under way within the framework of the SIM Group and of the Political Agenda of the ACE for the period 2006-2008 notably by way of the planned summit in 2007.
- To pursue the exchange of information with other regulated professions on competition policy issues, as appropriate.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Competition, DG Internal Market.
Useful lobbying/action: Member States, European Parliament.
Relevant co-operation: Club Profile.

II.3  Procurement of Architectural Services (Ref. AG2_06_BN-PAS)

State of Play
Whilst the Public Procurement Directives had to be transposed by January 2006, there are still several Member States that are lagging behind, and the Commission has already sent reasoned opinions to these Member States.
As far as ACE is concerned the Executive Board pursuant to the revision of the working structure presented to the Assembly in April in the important area of procurement, has further fine-tuned the reorganisation of the various activities.  It has appointed Jan Slot (The Netherlands) as Chairman of the ACE Work Group ‘Procurement of Architectural Services’ which has overall responsibility over all activities in the work strand. There are now three Debate Work Groups in this area: one on Public-Private Partnerships which covers all models including Project Team Partnering and Design and Build, led by Jan Ketelaer (FAB, Belgium); a second Debate Work Group is working on the issue of architectural design competitions (and the further elaboration of the rules for architectural competitions is still under way) and it is led by Georg Pendl (BAIK, Austria); the third Debate Work group is working on Private Procurement and it is led by Philippe Boille (UNSFA, France). 
Finally, the Expert Work Group ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Public Institutions’, led by Isabelle Moreau (CNOC, France), has started its work.
Highlight
The table giving detailed guidance on the various methods of Public Procurement has been further developed in the Expert Work Group led by Hans-Georg Brunnert and Thomas Maibaum (BAK, Germany) and the version presented to the Assembly in November is nearly final.  It is designed as that it will eventually become an interactive tool on the ACE website.
ACE aims
To obtain, that the specific features of intellectual services, particularly architectural services, will be adequately taken into account under the regime of the Public Procurement Directives as transposed in national law in the Member States, especially as regards selection procedures and selection and awarding criteria.  Moreover, the ACE will seek to examine models of private procurement with a view to adapting the recommended rules accordingly.
Related issues
Services in the Internal Market (Quality Policy) - Competition Policy

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Practice of Architecture & Trade in Services – Coordinator: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected]) – Work Group ‘Procurement of Architectural Services’, Chair: Jan Slot, BNA, The Netherlands ([email protected]) – Debate Work Group ‘Public Procurement’, Chair: Jan Ketelaer, FAB, Belgium ([email protected]) - Debate Work Group ‘Architectural Design Competitions’, Chair: Georg Pendl, BAIK, Austria ([email protected]) - Debate Work Group ‘Private Procurement’, Chair: Philippe Boille, UNSFA, France ([email protected]) – Expert Work Group ‘Procurement Methods’, Hans-Georg Brunnert and Thomas Maibaum, BAK, Germany ([email protected] - [email protected])  – Expert Work Group ‘Best Practice Guidelines’, Chair: Isabelle Moreau, CNOA, France ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and timetable: ongoing activity
- To review the interactive table (November), to finalise it and work out the business plan before posting it on the web site.
- To develop specific recommendations for the adequate implementation of all possible procurement methods for architectural services.
- To develop relevant reference contractual frameworks according to the various procurement models.
- To seek to conclude accords of best practice with relevant institutions and possibly also branches of the industry.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Internal Market, DG Enterprise (Competitiveness, EMAT), European Parliament.
Useful lobbying: Council, Member States
Other strategic interlocutors: Trade DG (for GATS), WTO Working Party on GATS Rules (GPA), European Investment Bank.
Relevant co-operations: ECCE, EFCA, UNICE, (ESF).

II.4 Trade in Services (Ref. AG2_06_BN-TiS)

State of Play
- Multilateral process
The negotiations within the Doha Agenda (DDA) are suspended and resumption is uncertain. One important date is July 2007 in the US, when President Bush’s “fast track” authority for the negotiating agenda expires.
Lord Vallance of Tummel, Chairman of the European Services Forum (ESF) whose mandate was initially focusing on the WTO negotiations, wrote to all Members of the ESF at the end of October with a view to check their commitment in respect of their membership of the ESF in the future taking account of the current deadlock of the Doha Agenda, so as to determine whether or the ESF will continue its activities, also in relation to the European Services Platform (internal market issues).
- Bi-lateral activities
The European Commission while taking stock of the deadlock of the DDA has decided to engage more in bi-lateral negotiations with various grades in the goals pursued (Free Trade Agreements, Free Trade Investment and Development Initiatives, Economic Co-operation…).  At the same time it has taken steps to advance the official negotiations on MRAs with Mexico and the USA.
As regards the USA, following the notification of the profession-to-profession Mutual Recognition Agreement –MRA (The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) members approved the agreement during the NCARB Annual Meeting in June by a vote of 50 to 1), the official discussions between the EU Commission and the US Trade Representative have also started, reportedly in a good climate and with a willingness to find solutions in order to eventually conclude a binding agreement.
Progress is expected in the negotiation with Canada, and contacts have been resumed with Chile and China, and new contacts have been started with Hong-Kong, Cuba and Singapore.
Highlight
The review of the EU-Mexico FTA (Free Trade Agreement) proves to be a slow process and the Commission has decided to accelerate the process for the MRAs and to de-couple the negotiation of MRAs from the actual review of the FTA.  Through this negotiation, which takes as the basis the agreement signed by the profession already six years ago, The Commission seeks to develop a model, which could become a standard for further MRAs.
ACE aims
To develop mutual recognition agreements based on the principle that the EU is ‘one’ single country, and that the principles concerning architectural qualifications and relevant provisions contained in the Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC is the appropriate basis.
Related Issues
Qualifications – Deontological Code - Continuing Professional Development

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Practice of Architecture & Trade in Services - Coordinator: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected])
Work Group 'Trade in Services' - Chair: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected])
Work Group Registration/Licensing, Chair Pierre-Henri Schmutz ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table: ongoing activity
- To monitor the official negotiations between the EU and Mexico on MRAs.
- To monitor the development of official talks on the EU-USA MRA (2006 onwards)
- To finalise the negotiation for an MRA with Canada (2007?)
- To seek to enhance the contacts with other Third Countries and to start negotiations when appropriate
- To establish how training and experience will be recorded so as to facilitate decisions on equivalence in MRA’s (the ISF could be a useful instrument in that respect).

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Trade/DG Internal Market.
Strategic action: Member States, Professional bodies in third countries.
Relevant co-operations: Club Profile, ESF, EFCA, ECCE.

II.5 Health & Safety (Ref. AG2_06_BN-H&S)

State of Play
The ACE Work Group has been keeping under review developments in this policy area, and it remains to be seen whether or not the European Commission will revise the Temporary and Mobile Sites Directive. 
Highlights
A successful Follow up Event was held in the European Parliament on the 29th June 2006. 
Following that the Commission (DG Social Affairs) has (again) invited the ACE to come to Luxembourg (where it is located) to expose its specific problems in relation to the implementation of the Directive.
ACE aims
To redress a long distorted situation and seek to obtain a level playing field within the construction sector for what concerns liability of professionals.  More generally, to give a higher profile to the profession in the field considered.
Related Issues
Environment & Sustainable Architecture - FOCOPE - Competitiveness of the Construction Sector

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Practice of Architecture & Trade in Services – Coordinator: John Wright, RIBA, UK ([email protected])
Work Group ‘Health & Safety'
Chair: John Graby ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE
- To monitor new developments in relation to a possible revision of the H&S Directive.

ACE interlocutors: DG Employment and Social Affairs, Member States, European Parliament.
Useful lobbying: European Agency for Health & Safety at Work (OSHA).
Relevant co-operations: ECCE, EFCA.

 

III. ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE IN SOCIETY

III.1 Environment and Sustainable Architecture (Ref. AG2_06_BN-ESA) 

Prof. Owen Lewis (RAI, Ireland) is the new Chairman since July 2006 and Vibeke Grupe Larsen (AA, Denmark) remains as Vice-Chair.

- Sustainable Construction and Standardisation – Competitiveness of the Construction Sector (DG Enterprise)

State of Play

The ACE is monitoring the development of work in CEN , in particular in the Technical Committees on “prevention of crime by urban planning and building design” (CEN/TC 325), and on “sustainability of construction works” (CEN/TC 350).
The study of the impact of certain Community policies on the competitiveness of the construction sector Commissioned by DG Enterprise to Manchester Business School is well under way.  A questionnaire (the ACE has commented on a draft) was issued during summer (French and English) .
DG Enterprise has also launched a consultation in anticipation of a review of the (CPD) Construction Product Directive (89/106/EC).
Moreover, the study (case studies + interviews) commissioned to PRC Bouwcentrum (NL) by DG Enterprise to evaluate the Internal Market and Competitiveness effects of Directive 89/106/EEC (Construction Products Directive, CPD) is also nearing completion.  The draft final report, to which the ACE has also contributed, has been critised for being too courageous in that it exposes problems never before put on paper. It is due to be finalised before the end of 2006 and will be a “guide” for the expected revision of CPD.
Highlight
It is planned that a new CPD Directive will be proposed before the end of 2007.  There is a window of opportunity for the profession of architecture to make specific input and the ACE WG-ESA has started work on the issue.  The Commission intends to use the results of the above study by PRC to serve the purpose of an impact assessment for the new Directive that will be proposed.
ACE aims
To promote the achievement of overall quality in the built environment, while safeguarding and promoting the architects’ role in the construction process.
Related issues
Urban Issues – Energy Efficiency in Buildings –  Housing - Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment - EP Inter-group Urban.Logement – Competitiveness of the Construction Sector

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Role of Architecture in Society – Coordinator Olgierd Dziekonski ([email protected]),
Work Group 'Environment & Sustainable Architecture', Chairman: Owen Lewis, RIAI Ireland ([email protected]), Vice-Chair Vibeke Grupe Larsen ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table: ongoing activity
- To monitor the review of the Construction Products Directive and its impact on the architectural practice.
- To monitor the development of the CEN standard for the assessment of the sustainability of construction works (2005-2008).

ACE main interlocutors: DG Enterprise, DG Environment, DG Transport and Energy, European Parliament.
Useful lobbying: Member States.
Relevant co-operation: ECF.

- Energy Efficiency of Buildings

State of Play
One of the main areas of work in the Work Group Environment & Sustainable Architecture is energy (efficiency).  Whilst the ACE is an observer (A. Sagne) in the Regulatory Committee of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) regrettably it is currently not invited to meetings and it has protested on several occasions against the lack of transparency in the process.  The Commission has written to many Member States who have not transposed the Directive (deadline January 2006).
Highlight
The Commission published, on 19 October, its long-waited Action Plan, which contains a chapter on buildings. It offers a window of opportunity to the profession to further actively promote its policies (WG-ESA).
ACE aims
To promote the role that architects can play in achieving greater energy efficiency in the built environment.
Related Issues
Urban Issues – Environment & Sustainable Architecture - Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment – Inter-group Urban.Logement – ECTP – Competitiveness of Construction Sector

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Role of Architecture in Society – Coordinator Olgierd Dziekonski ([email protected]),
Work Group 'Environment & Sustainable Architecture', Chairman: Owen Lewis, RIAI Ireland ([email protected]), Vice-Chair Vibeke Grupe Larsen ([email protected])
Alain Sagne is an invited expert (observer) in the EDM (Energy Demand Management) Committee of the EPBD on behalf of the ACE.

Next steps for ACE and time table:
- To monitor the development of the CEN standards for the Energy Efficiency of Buildings.
- To monitor further developments in the area of energy efficiency, notably in relation to the Green Paper on Energy and the Directive on Energy Services.
- To take advantage of the new Action Plan to promote the ACE Policies in the area.

ACE main interlocutors on policy: DG Transport and Energy, DG Environment, DG Enterprise, European Parliament.
Strategically important places for lobbying: EESC & Committee of the Regions (COR).
Strategic action: Member States.
Relevant co-operations: European Construction Forum-ECF (+EuroACE), Energie-Cites.

III.2 Urban Issues (Ref. AG2_06_BN-UI) 

State of Play
A number of important developments took place over the last few months in this area of work.
The Workshop organised by the ACE in the framework of the Urban Futures 2.0 Conference in Stockholm at the beginning of May was very successful and architecture got quite a high profile during the Conference. 
During the same conference the ACE was also invited to take part in a Panel discussion in the context of a so-called Knowledge Seminar, organised by the Association for Sustainable Communities and the EUKN Network.  Following that a new invitation was made to the ACE to take part in the Skills Symposium organised in Leeds (UK) on 9-10 November (as a follow up to the Bristol Accord) .  Owen Lewis was a member of the panel of a specific Workshop on sustainable construction and A. Sagne intervened in a panel discussion in a plenary session.
A successful Seminar in the context of the URBACT Network Hous-Es on regeneration of large housing estates, led by the City of Poznan (Poland), in which the ACE is an Associated Partner, took place in Duisburg in September.  It is worth noting that Mrs Danuta Hubner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, is strongly and personally supportive of this Network.
An attempt to hold a meeting of the WG-UI on that occasion – on the basis of reviewed Terms of Reference - failed due to lack of response, but a meeting is now scheduled in conjunction of the next Hous-Es seminar, organised by the Politicecnico di Milano, another Associated Partner of the Network, on 30 November/2 December in Milan. Notably, the Work Group is going to examine how to develop urban quality indicators that can serve in the context of both the Hous-Es Network and the further development of ACE Policy.  It is worth noting that the URBACT Programme is going to continue and there will be an URBACT II Programme during the next period of the Structural Funds with extended budget and mission, notably in respect of capitalising on best practice to devise policy recommendations.
The Parliament adopted in October its opinion on the EU Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment in which reference is made to architecture.  The ACE has lodged a rather critical opinion with the Commission before summer arguing that the expectations were not met in the Strategy, in particular in respect of the good work done on sustainable construction and urban design, and the Director General of the DG Environment, M.P. Carl, responded to ACE assuring it that the work will continue. In the letter, the Commission states that it is striving to improve its internal coordination, and that it has established an Inter Service Coordination Group on Urban Development. This is a positive development.
In July the Parliament adopted the budget of the Structural Funds for the period 2007-2013.  Also in July the Commission published several documents in relation to Community strategic guidelines on cohesion and on cohesion policies and cities, which contain important aspects of interest to the architectural profession, notably in the emphasis put on the quality of design and planning for the attractiveness of cities and regions .
The Council Decision on Community strategic guidelines on cohesion was adopted on 6 October.  Notably, it contains a section on the physical environment and puts emphasis on the need to improve the planning, design and improvement of public places and on the preparation of a medium to long-term development plan for sustainable urban development.
Highlights
An international conference held in Vilnius at the end of September adopted a Resolution on the role of the “New” Member States to promote a quality agenda in the built environment.
A similar Declaration, in the form of a joint Declaration of the architectural profession in all EU-10 Countries, was presented during the European Forum for Architectural Policies in October in Helsinki (see item III.4 below).  These initiatives are very important bearing in mind that the National Operational Programmes are still being drafted in several countries and there is still a chance to influence them to ascertain that architecture will be duly taken into account.
Over summer, the ACE developed several contacts with the association of large cities EUROCITIES seeking to significantly enhance the co-operation between the two organisations.  As a result, the ACE has now been invited to take part in several activities of EUROCITIES, notably in the areas of research and public procurement, and ACE will attend EUROCITIES conference and AGM in Manchester on 22-24 November.
ACE aims
To promote the achievement of overall quality in the built environment, while safeguarding and promoting the architects’ role in the construction process.
Related issues
Housing – Energy Efficiency in Buildings - EP Inter-group Urban.Logement – Competitiveness of the Construction Sector

Those in charge in ACE
Executive Board, Thematic Area Role of Architecture in Society – Coordinator Olgierd Dziekonski ([email protected]),
Work Group Urban Issues, Chair: Antonio Borghi, CNAPPC, Italy ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table:
- To promote the adopted ACE policies, the principles of the ACE Policy Book “Architecture & Quality of Life”, and the ACE Strategic Agenda.

ACE main interlocutors: DG Regional Policy, DG Environment, DG Transport and Energy, European Parliament (Inter-group Urban.Logement).
Useful lobbying: Member States.
Relevant co-operation: EUROCITIES, ECF.

III.3 Housing (Ref. AG2_06_BN-Housing) 

State of Play
The Executive Board established the Work Group Housing in spring with Teresa Taboas of Spain (who is currently Minister of Land Use Planning and Housing in Galicia) as Chair and Milan Horak of Slovakia as Vice Chairman.  Terms of Reference were reviewed during the TA3 Co-ordination meeting on 2 June and finally approved by the Executive Board at the end of June. 
Highlights
Since that time the Chair has carried out significant background research with a small dedicated team drawn from her personal entourage, and she has delivered four working documents that have been submitted to the ACE structure for comments. 
Regretfully, it does not seem though that there has been significant response from the Members to date.
Mr Alfonso Andria, MEP (ALDE Group, Italy), a Vice-President of the Inter-group Urban.Housing of the European Parliament and member of the Committee on Regional Development, has been appointed rapporteur for an own-initiative report on Housing, which is expected to elaborate on the basis of the draft European Housing Charter already approved by the Bureau of the Inter-group in April (to which the ACE already contributed).  The report is expected to be in the plenary in May 2007.
ACE aims
To promote the achievement of overall quality in the built environment, while safeguarding and promoting the architects’ role in the construction process.
Related issues
Urban Issues – Energy Efficiency in Buildings - EP Inter-group Urban.Logement – Competitiveness of the Construction Sector

Those in charge in ACE
Thematic Area Role of Architecture in Society – Coordinator Olgierd Dziekonski ([email protected]),
Work Group Urban Issues, Chair: Teresa Taboas, CSCAE, Spain ([email protected])

Next steps for ACE and time table: 2006/2007
- Members of the Work Group and ACE Members to actively comment on/contribute to the initial documents produced by the Chair so as to develop a Policy of the ACE on Housing.

ACE main interlocutors: DG Environment, DG Regional Policy, European Parliament.
Useful lobbying: Member States.
Relevant co-operation: ECF.

III.4 European Forum for Architectural Policies (EFAP) (Ref. AG2_06_BN-EFAP)

State of play
Since the last Assembly several important developments have taken place.
The EFAP Co-ordination wrote to President Barroso to bring to his personal attention the Recommendations adopted in Luxembourg in 2005, that had already been officially transmitted to the Ministers of Culture by the Luxembourg Presidency at the time. 
Due to the steady efforts of the ACE, both directly and also in conjunction with the EFAP, architectural quality has been included in the eligibility criteria of the Structural Funds for the first time ever (see item III.2 above).
Very successful and well-attended events of the Forum took place in Vienna in June and in Helsinki in October, organised as part of the official activities of the Austrian and Finnish Presidencies respectively.  
Appointed Executive Board Member David Felice along with the Secretary General represented the ACE on these occasions.
The next Forum event is scheduled to take place in Hamburg at the end of April 2007 (26-27) as part of the official activities of the German Presidency.  It is planned that a Declaration will be issued on that occasion to feed the Ministerial Meeting on Urban and Territorial Policies organised by the German Presidency in Leipzig on 23-24 May.  Thus it is hoped that, or the first time, the missing link between architectural policies and such policies would be created, which will come very timely during the initial phase of the implementation of the new Structural Funds.
In Vienna it was decided to further proceed with the creation of an association to support the activities of the Forum (AISBL under Belgian Law, draft statutes were approved) and also that a Strategic Agenda and Action Plan should be prepared and six EU Presidencies in a row over the period 2006-2008 (Austria, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, France) undertook to support its development and implementation.
Over summer the statutes of the EFAP AISBL were further fine-tuned and formalities were started in September with a Notaries office.
Highlights
In Helsinki the Steering Committee of the Forum welcomed for the first time representatives from all of the EU-10 Countries as well as from several Accession Countries.  Most ACE Member Organisations were present.
The Steering Committee of the EFAP broadly approved the Strategic Agenda and Action Plan prepared under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency, and it was decided that a Working Group comprised of the six Presidencies and the ACE would develop it, so that a final document can be presented in Hamburg.  In the meanwhile a proposal will be lodged for support to the activities of the Forum as a Network within the framework of the Culture 2007 Programme.
Furthermore it was decided that several Working Groups would be set up, the exact number and topic to be decided by the Interim Board of Administrators of the EFAP AISBL mentioned hereafter.
An extraordinary meeting of the new EFAP AISBL took place in the framework of the programme of events.
About 40 registered members of the association were present (including the ACE as agreed by the Assembly in April) and took part in the vote.  An Interim Board of Administrators was elected until the time of the next meeting in Hamburg comprised of the previous members of the Co-ordination Group (including the ACE) and some new members from Austria, Finland, France and Slovenia, and seats are reserved for German and Portugal.
Also during the Helsinki conference a Statement was approved in relation to a consultation launched by the Commission in connection with the preparation of Communication on culture, expected to be published by March, which will be the first official document ever produced by the Commission on the topic.  The Statement aims to secure the incorporation of architecture in the future Communication.  At the same time all participants were urged to respond to the online questionnaire of the Commission.
ACE aims
To promote the recommendations of the ACE Policy Book and the ACE Political Agenda and to further promote the Council resolution and to seek to ascertain that they are implemented in all of the EU legislation, policies, measures, actions and programmes.
Related Issues
Qualifications – Directive on Services in the Internal Market (SIM) – Public Procurement of Architectural Services - Urban Issues – Environment & Sustainable Architecture – Housing - EP Inter-group Urban.Logement – Culture – Better Law-making – Deontological Code

Those in charge in ACE
Executive Board, David Felice ([email protected])  - Secretary General ([email protected]).

Next steps for ACE and timetable: On-going activity. 
- To further enhance its involvement in the European Forum for Architectural Policies and its supporting association as a means to advance the ACE policies.
- To further promote the recommendations of the ACE Policy Book and the Political agenda of the ACE within the context of the Forum, while striving to foster the emergence of a European Architectural Policy.

ACE main interlocutors: Member States, EU Presidencies, European Parliament.
Relevant co-operations: European Forum for Architectural Policies, Eurocities, CEMR.

III.5 Relations with the European Parliament

- Inter-group Urban.Logement

State of play
The Inter-group is further developing its activities, both of its own and also in cooperation with external partners.
There was no public meeting of the Inter-group since the spring Assembly but the Inter-group sponsored a meeting organised by the association “Quartiers en crise” (QEC-ERAN) in Brussels in June.  The ACE attended the meeting during which there were presentations on the future URBACT II Programme and also of the INTERACT INTERREG Programme (Cross-border and Inter-regional co-operation).
Moreover, the ACE was able to secure the sponsorship of the Inter-group in the context of the Build-for-All Project.
Highlights
The official launch event of the Build-for-All Project Reference Manual is scheduled to take place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 November (see also item I.3 above), Three Inter-groups are jointly sponsoring the event: Disability, Ageing and Urban.Logement.
In the meanwhile the ACE has asked the Inter-group Urban.Logement to co-sponsor the ACE Summit scheduled in November 2007.  Formal answer pending.
ACE aims
To promote the recommendations of the ACE Policy Book and the ACE Political Agenda and their incorporation into all EU legislation, policies, measures, actions and programmes, and their implementation. To seek to create adequate linkages with the European Forum for Architectural Policies, notably in relation to the implementation of the Council Resolution on Architectural Quality in the Urban and Rural Environments.
Related Issues
Urban Issues – Housing - Environment & Sustainable Architecture – Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment – Procurement of Architectural Services - European Forum for Architectural Policies

Those in charge in ACE
The Executive Board (TA3 Co-ordinators) and the Secretary General, drawing on the expertise available within, and specific input from the ACE Working Structure, notably the WG’s Urban Issues and Housing, to feed the work in the Inter-group Urban.Logement.

Next steps for ACE and timetable: On-going activity
- To monitor the development of the own-initiative report on Housing in the European Parliament.
- To further enhance the co-operation between the ACE and the Inter-group, also in connection with the activities of the European Forum for Architectural Policies, as appropriate.

ACE main interlocutors: European Parliament, including the Inter group Urban.Logement, Member States (Council), DG Regional Policy, DG Environment, DG Culture.
Other strategically important interlocutors: Committee of the Regions (COR).
Relevant co-operations: Eurocities, CEMR, European Disability Forum, CECODHAS, ECF, ECTP (Urban Planners)….

- FOCOPE

State of play
There has been a series of meetings in spring (notably on FP7 issues), and in June and July, specifically on the issue of the review of the (construction and demolition) Waste Directive, which is of marginal interest to the ACE.  Generally, FOCOPE continues to function like a club, largely influenced by UK interests.
Highlight
From ACE’s perspective the global evaluation of the usefulness of its membership of FOCOPE, having regard to the actual services rendered by FOCOPE, is very reserved, rather negative, and the Executive Board is currently examining whether or not the ACE will renew its membership for another year while bearing in mind that the other main European actors of the construction sector (contractors, material producers, consulting engineers, cement industry, developers) have decided to continue for another year of trial.
ACE aims
To promote the recommendations of the ACE Policy Book and the ACE Political Agenda, more particularly those relating to the construction sector, through this specialised Parliamentary forum and beyond, through the Parliamentary proceedings, and their incorporation into all EU legislations, policies, measures, actions and programmes, and their implementation.  To ascertain that there is no unnecessary overlap with work in the Inter-group Urban.Logement and to ensure adequate interaction with it on relevant topics, if and when appropriate.
Related Issues
Urban Issues – Environment & Sustainable Architecture – Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment – Procurement of Architectural Services – ECTP - European Forum for Architectural Policies

Those in charge in ACE
Executive Board, Secretariat
Input sought from the Working Structure and relevant Work Groups, as appropriate.

ACE main interlocutors: European Parliament, DG Enterprise, Member States (ECN Network).
Relevant co-operations: European Construction Forum-ECF, ECTP (Urban Planners)….

III.6 EU Institutions and Architectural Quality

State of play
The European Commission (OBI) informed the ACE that before the end of 2006 it will publish a new Communication on its buildings policy.  According to indications received from the Commission the document that deals with the subject in rather general terms also contains the announcement that a specific document dealing with "Architecture Policy" will be adopted by the end of 2007.
Highlight
The ACE has been contacted in connection with plans to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which might include specific activities in relation to architecture.  Contacts are being pursued.
ACE aims
To promote the recommendations of the ACE Policy Book and the ACE Political Agenda as well as to further promote the Council resolution and to seek to ascertain that they are implemented in all of the EU legislation, policies, measures, actions and programmes.
Related Issues
Directive on Services in the Internal Market (SIM) – Procurement of Architectural Services - Urban Issues – Housing - Environment & Sustainable Architecture – European Forum for Architectural Policies - EP Inter-group Urban.Logement – Culture

Those in charge in ACE
Executive Board, Secretary General.

Next steps for ACE and time table: ongoing activity
- To further promote architectural quality in all EU Institutions.

ACE main interlocutors: European Commission and other EU Institutions.
Relevant co-operation: European Forum for Architectural Policies.

 

IV. COMMUNICATION

State of play
The Communication Policy of the ACE is being further developed in the context of the implementation of the ACE Political Agenda the Executive Board.
All ACE Member Organisations have been asked to designate “ACE Correspondents” within their structures.  To date only about half of the Members have communicated their nominations.
Highlight
The ACE web site is currently undergoing a thorough review by the Executive Board and it is planned to drastically review the design and structure within the next few months with professional input.  
ACE aims
To improve the visibility of the ACE at all levels and to enhance the exchange between the ACE and its Members and also to foster their ownership of the Organisation.
Related Issues
All ACE activities.

Those in charge in ACE
Executive Board, Luciano Lazzari ([email protected]) - Secretariat ([email protected]).

Next steps for ACE and time table: ongoing activity
- To implement the new Communication Policy.

ACE main interlocutors: All external contacts, ACE Members.

End of report

Council of European Municipalities and Regions

CEN- European Standardization Committee

For English version of questionnaire see www.mbs.ac.uk/EuroImpactSurevey And for French version see www.mbs.ac.uk/EtudeSecteurConstruction

European Urban Knowledge Network, EUKN

  Bristol Accord, Coinclusions of Ministerial Informal on Sustainable Communities in Europe, 6-7 December 2005

See memorandum of the Secretariat (reference AG2/06/memo-236), also in Assembly papers

The Forum for Construction in the European Parliament

 


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