In recent years, there has been a growing awareness within the European political realm of the positive contribution a high-quality built environment can make to the common good. Several recent policy initiatives have put a strong focus on the need to adopt an holistic, culture-centred approach to the built environment and have elevated an understanding of architecture’s key role to a higher political level.

As part of the UIA World Congress of Architects, taking place this year in Copenhagen, the Architects' Council of Europe and the Region I of the International Union of Architects has co-organised a workshop on  4 July 2023 to discuss recent developments in Europe in terms of architecture policies.  In particular, participants learnt more about new national architectural policies, the Davos process, the concept of Baukultur and the New European Bauhaus. Speakers shared their views on the following issues:
- How to instill high-quality architecture and Baukultur principles in public policies?   
- How public policies can contribute to achieving a high-quality built environment?   
- How economic operators can be encouraged to favour quality approaches and adhere to high-quality Baukultur principles?
- What tools do we need to assess Baukultur and quality in the built environment?

Speakers and panelists included: 
- Ciaran CUFFE, Member of the European Parliament - download the presentation here.
- Helena BJARNEGÅRD, Sweden State Architect;
- Oliver MARTIN, Swiss Federal Office of Culture, Head of the Baukultur section - download the presentation here.
- Iñaqui CARNICERO, Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Secretary General for Urban Agenda and Architecture- download the presentation here.
- Ruth SCHAGEMANN, ACE President;
- George KUNIHIRO, past President of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA);
- Donatien KASSEYET, President of the African Union of Architects (AUA);
- Emily GRANDSTAFF-RICE, President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Moderation by Tillman PRINZ, Secretary General, Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK).
Download the programme here.