Architectural Policy of Slovakia
A well-designed architectural policy is an investment in the future. Future generations will benefit from better-planned, more functional, and more compact settlements that respond to the challenges of climate change and technological progress and take residents’ needs into account. And not only that - citizens will able to directly participate in shaping their environment by participating in public discussions, educational programs, the land-use planning process, and community initiatives.
Architectural policy, as a tool for national development, can help improve the coordination of thematically relevant strategies, facilitate cross-sectoral cooperation both within and outside the public administration, create conditions for initiatives that support placemaking design and highlight examples of good practice, and ensure the sustainability of development activities in the built environment. It will also contribute to improving cooperation between the public and private sectors, thereby enhancing the quality of architectural solutions and the efficiency of public spending.
The Authority for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic is responsible for preparing a strategic document of national significance, namely the Architectural Policy of Slovakia (APS). Its expert partners are the Slovak Chamber of Architects, Institute of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Design STU in Bratislava and Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering of SUA in Nitra. The Architectural Policy of Slovakia is intended to significantly improve the quality of life and housing in our country and will also be the topic of today’s podcast.
Architectural policy has a historic role—for the first time, it creates a comprehensive framework that integrates the fields of architecture, urbanism, spatial planning, and landscape development with the aim of supporting the aesthetic, functional, and environmental quality of the built environment. This framework is designed to enable long-term decision-making in the areas of construction and planning while also creating the conditions for coordinated and high-quality interventions in the built environment by both public and private stakeholders.
In practical terms, this strategy is based on four key pillars:
- harmonious development of settlements and the landscape,
- the quality of buildings and public spaces,
- society’s relationship to architecture (with an emphasis on public awareness, education, and participation), and
- research and innovation.
It includes thematic areas that are divided into specific objectives. Measures are assigned to each objective. This structure enables a clear formulation of objectives and their systematic implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. The measures were developed according to the principles of the SMART method, with each objective defined in terms of name, instrument, implementer, target group, specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time frame.
The 10 top priority areas
• Landscape and Urban Planning• Support for regional settlements• Quality standards• Building renovation and adaptation• Regeneration of the built environment | • Affordable rental housing• Architects in public administration• Competitions and public procurement• Education in architecture• Digitization and analysis |
Contact
Miloš Svrček
email: milos.svrcek@stavebnyurad.gov.sk