South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Significant public and private sector investment is providing new housing, schools and hospitals across the South East of England. The scale of building work has the potential to transform communities with new ways of living as well as landmark buildings. To achieve quality results which enhance the quality of life for all of us must be a top priority. It demands, not just committed professional architects, designers, developers, construction workers and planners, but informed and engaged clients and communities.

South East Excellence, the regional centre of excellence for the South East was established at the Government's request to support this investment. One of nine centres of excellence being created by the Regional Development Agencies across England, South East Excellence will support this transformation of towns and cities across the region by encouraging individuals and organisations to: learn, share, and apply the new skills needed to build, maintain and renew communities. Creating quality places is vital to the future economic success of the region.

The initial focus for the centre will be to work with professionals and politicians to improve the built environment. These include those identified in the Government commissioned Egan Review: Skills for Sustainable Communities as being in the core occupations - namely local authority councillors, planners, urban designers, architects, developers and investors.

South East Excellence will also focus on engaging communities and young people, by encouraging them to get involved in the development of their towns and cities; to take part in community consultations; and to work with the professionals to make changes to where they live. South East Excellence aims to inspire people to take pride in their communities and encourage young people to consider careers in built environment professions.

An 'Action Plan' for South East Excellence has been produced as a result of extensive consultation with regional stakeholders, and research by the Universities of Greenwich, Oxford Brookes and Brighton and identifies four key aims for delivery:

• Expand the knowledge and skills base;
• Establish strong, cross disciplinary learning networks;
• Promote pride in places;
• Excite young people.

The Action Plan will be delivered over three years and includes activities such as: study tours; workshops; a website with tool kits, checklists and case studies; a quarterly review newsletter; and a database of organisations contributing to South East Excellence.

SEEDA, together with partners, has already developed a solid base of excellence through a number of activities that address aspects of skills and support delivery of sustainable communities in the South East.

These include:

• the Architecture Centre network;
• the Regional Design Panel;
• the South East Design Champions Club
• the CPD website, and;
• various demonstration projects such as the Creating Quality Places initiative;
• Art Plus;
• Shaping Places.

To find out more about the work of South East Excellence, visit www.southeastexcellence.co.uk