Interview with the experts of the Open Method of Coordination group on high-quality architecture and built environment for everyone.

Born out of the 2019-2022 EU work plan for culture, the report of the EU Member State expert group compiles prevalent trends and best practices in the governance of contemporary spatial design, to provide recommendations at multiple levels ensuring high quality in architecture and the built environment for everyone. Based on the Davos Baukultur Quality System, the report provides concrete definitions of high-quality architecture and built environment. It provides answers to how these terms can be defined, detailing key criteria for their assessment. Through a collection of case studies, gathered from across Europe and examined by the Member State expert group in 2020-2021, the publication suggests ways to operationalise those quality criteria, which have been put into action at multiple governance levels. Quality aspects should be considered across all funding areas that concern spatial development and the built environment, in particular those that are integrated into public procurement procedures. The recommendations target different scales, such as EU policies, national frameworks and the local level, in addition to private-sector stakeholders and the professional realm.