European Forum of Architecture Politicians

What is EFAP
The quality of the built environment has a fundamental impact on life in the contemporary world. However, society has not yet fully realized this well-known fact. In order for all people to understand what architects do, they must be minimally educated in the field of architecture. A quality environment, synonymous with quality architecture, creates conditions for a higher quality of life. It is therefore essential to clearly define the goals and means to achieve better awareness among all citizens and how to support quality architecture. Improving the position of architects in society and supporting architecture is a common interest of all European states. For this purpose, the European Forum for Architectural Policies (EFAP) was established, which seeks to promote these ideas through documents titled Architectural Policy. Members of EFAP also include Czech institutions, the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) and the Center for Central European Architecture (CCEA). EFAP connects governmental, professional, and cultural institutions from all EU member states. Their representatives meet at conferences held on the occasion of EU summits. Each country presiding over the European Union always organizes a conference related specifically to the principles of national architectural policies. The most significant achievements of EFAP include the adoption of the EU Council Resolution 2001/C 73/04 on the quality of architecture in urban and rural environments and the adoption of the EU Council Conclusions 2008/C 319/05 on architecture: the cultural contribution to sustainable development. Individual EU member states have pledged, among other things, to support and promote quality architecture in the eyes of the public and in the performance of public administration, to support quality architecture through exemplary public construction, and to assist in the development of exchange and dissemination of information in this sector. The adoption of this resolution has led to the promotion of similar ideas at the national and regional levels across Europe, and many EU member countries already have their architectural policies approved. The Czech Republic also has an Architectural Policy developed by the Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic through the Czech Chamber of Architects, and they are now jointly striving for the approval of the document by the Czech government.

The Role of Architectural Policies
The main role of architectural policies today is seen in creating an appropriate influence of architects on processes in society. The architect has a holistic approach to solving problems, acting as a coordinator and at the same time a specialist in generalization. By appropriately linking the latest technical knowledge and information with cultural-historical aspects, the architect has always been a bearer of progress in history, and progress is currently unthinkable without the practical realization of a sustainable development approach. An important topic within the Czech presidency will thus be architectural policy in Europe on the brink of a new era, meaning a shift from spatial quality to sustainable development.
Insufficient awareness of architecture is demonstrated both among the general public and within public administration, which often leads to incorrect procedures, especially in public procurement.
Therefore, the EFAP conference will be specifically aimed at politicians and officials of state and local government. Through specific examples, speakers will demonstrate the results of implementing architectural policies in some EU countries. The conference will also contribute to the acceptance of the Architectural Policy of the Czech Republic by the Czech government.

Main Goals of the EFAP Conference in Prague

• To inform officials and politicians from European countries about the existence and objectives of architectural policies.
• To promote the significance of architectural policies.
• To demonstrate through practical examples that national architectural policy is a useful tool for improving societal life.
• To continue activities in the field of sustainable development presented during the French presidency.

Utilization of Architectural Policy

• General education on the role of architecture in every society as a key to improving practices that shape living space.
• Possible forms of public procurement as an example of correct practices leading to holistic shaping of the built environment.
• Needs, expectations, and participation of civil society actors in the process of shaping the built environment.
• Exchange of knowledge and experiences within the EFAP network, which is a tool for utilizing knowledge created in countries involved in this network.

> Preliminary Conference Program

Note.
The event is intended only for invited participants who must be accredited.