The National Infrastructure Commission is putting design at the heart of the country’s future infrastructure planning.

Commissioner and award-winning designer Professor Sadie Morgan, said:

“Well-designed infrastructure is crucial to creating desirable, thriving communities. Work already done by the Commission shows the UK will need to plan for new homes over coming decades, in new and existing settlements, supported by the right social and economic infrastructure.

“Good design helps us solve the many challenges associated with achieving this, which is why a National Design Panel is such a crucial step.”

Professor Morgan, speaking at a future cities event today at the Institution for Civil Engineers, confirmed the establishment of a new group by the Commission which will focus on design and which she will chair.

Its members will include Lucy Musgrave, Hanif Kara and Isabel Dedring, all existing members of the Commission’s Technical Advisory Panel. The group will draw on the expertise of Tony Burton, who led the establishment of the HS2 Design Panel and developed its working methods and approach. It will create a detailed proposal for ensuring quality design in future major infrastructure, recommend a working model and remit for any future group, and establish initial design principles.

Question 2 of the interim National Infrastructure Assessment asked: ‘How might an expert national infrastructure design panel best add value and support good design in UK infrastructure? What other measures could support these aims?’