Policy
The former Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure published a new policy on Architecture and the Built Environment for Northern Ireland in June 2006. The policy incorporates an ambitious action plan endorsed by Government departments.
The aim is to ensure best value from public expenditure while targeting capital investment towards enhancing the visual landscape and improving the quality of life now and for future generations.
Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment
In September 2007 DCAL established the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Architecture and the Built Environment in Northern Ireland. Since the reorganisation of the NI Executive Departments, MAG now sits within the Department for Communities. Its primary role is to advise the Minister for Communities on the implementation and development of the Architecture and the Built Environment policy.
The Interim Chair, Andrew Haley, was appointed from the membership in September 2016 for a period of one year. All the members were appointed in May 2014:
- Rachel Bevan
- Dr Patrice Cairns
- Deirdre Greaney
- Andrew Haley
- Lara Kinneir
- Mary Laheen
- Alwyn Riddell
- Nicola Waddington
Collectively, they bring a varied range of expertise to MAG, to include architecture, architectural conservation, landscape architecture, procurement, sustainable development and town planning.
The Chair and Members of MAG are Ministerial appointments. A call-off list of expert advisors was recruited in February 2009 to support the MAG in the key area of design review and on an ad-hoc basis to assist in other areas where the MAG requires additional specialist expertise.