The Design Task Force has set out a broad definition for design that includes: thinking creatively about the process inherent to providing infrastructure; problem-solving at the outset of the project; ensuring infrastructure is human scale and user friendly; and enhancing the environment and quality of life for local communities to ensure quality design in major infrastructure.

Publica was commissioned to undertake two research studies: a targeted sector review of the current attitudes and perceptions towards design in infrastructure planning and delivery, and the scoping and development of an approach to the first ever design principles for national infrastructure. These studies formed part of the evidence base for the Design Task Force’s contribution to the first ever National Infrastructure Assessment.

Design and Infrastructure - Sector Review of Attitudes

The Design Task Force’s early analysis identified four perceived barriers to quality infrastructure design: a lack of champions in the way projects are governed; a lacuna in design knowledge among those running infrastructure projects; a failure to embed design in the day-to-day working practices of those responsible for programme delivery; and a deep-seated perception that good design adds cost and poses risk to delivering projects on time and on budget.

Publica carried out a sector review of attitudes to verify the Design Task Force’s early analysis of existing barriers to the quality of infrastructure design and to identify additional barriers as well as opportunities for new approaches.

The study focused on gaining insights from a broad cross section of non-design professionals within the infrastructure sector, including CEOs, directors, project managers, and engineers. A series of detailed one-to-one interviews were conducted alongside the design, dissemination and analysis of a survey, providing a mix of quantitative and qualitative findings.

Publica’s research findings confirmed the Design Task Force’s early analysis of the key barriers to improving the quality of infrastructure design and identified five additional challenges: multiple conflicting perspectives over the role of design in infrastructure and who should deliver it; cultural barriers between disciplines; a lack of infrastructure delivery experience among design teams; poor project briefs and short-sighted planning; and inflexible planning policies.

Publica also identified seven opportunities for new approaches. These opportunities include expanding the definition of design to include designing for the full lifecycle; setting holistic design visions and principles based on clear outcomes and a long-term view; appointing design panels and/or senior design champions; learning from best practice across the sector; making design an integral part of enabling solutions; building greater flexibility into the infrastructure planning consent system and infrastructure planning process; and increasing trust and respect across disciplines.

Read the full report here.

The Design Task Force has set out a broad definition for design that includes: thinking creatively about the process inherent to providing infrastructure; problem-solving at the outset of the project; ensuring infrastructure is human scale and user friendly; and enhancing the environment and quality of life for local communities to ensure quality design in major infrastructure.

Publica was commissioned to undertake two research studies: a targeted sector review of the current attitudes and perceptions towards design in infrastructure planning and delivery, and the scoping and development of an approach to the first ever design principles for national infrastructure. These studies formed part of the evidence base for the Design Task Force’s contribution to the first ever National Infrastructure Assessment.

Design and Infrastructure - Sector Review of Attitudes

The Design Task Force’s early analysis identified four perceived barriers to quality infrastructure design: a lack of champions in the way projects are governed; a lacuna in design knowledge among those running infrastructure projects; a failure to embed design in the day-to-day working practices of those responsible for programme delivery; and a deep-seated perception that good design adds cost and poses risk to delivering projects on time and on budget.

Publica carried out a sector review of attitudes to verify the Design Task Force’s early analysis of existing barriers to the quality of infrastructure design and to identify additional barriers as well as opportunities for new approaches.

The study focused on gaining insights from a broad cross section of non-design professionals within the infrastructure sector, including CEOs, directors, project managers, and engineers. A series of detailed one-to-one interviews were conducted alongside the design, dissemination and analysis of a survey, providing a mix of quantitative and qualitative findings.

Publica’s research findings confirmed the Design Task Force’s early analysis of the key barriers to improving the quality of infrastructure design and identified five additional challenges: multiple conflicting perspectives over the role of design in infrastructure and who should deliver it; cultural barriers between disciplines; a lack of infrastructure delivery experience among design teams; poor project briefs and short-sighted planning; and inflexible planning policies.

Publica also identified seven opportunities for new approaches. These opportunities include expanding the definition of design to include designing for the full lifecycle; setting holistic design visions and principles based on clear outcomes and a long-term view; appointing design panels and/or senior design champions; learning from best practice across the sector; making design an integral part of enabling solutions; building greater flexibility into the infrastructure planning consent system and infrastructure planning process; and increasing trust and respect across disciplines.

Read the full report here.