sector funding, or being built on publicly owned land An assessment method included by local authorities developing local planning frameworks, core strategies and supplementary planning guidance A framework for Design Teams to structure Design and Access statements supporting their planning applications Assessments by local authorities during pre-planning discussions and in reviewing planning applications An auditing and monitoring tool, to allow local and national government to audit the quality of completed projects An award scheme aimed at showcasing and celebrating better quality housing projects after completion A best practice resource, through the website and case study library. History In 2001 the director of the Civic Trust, Mike Gwilliam, approached the Home Builders Federation with an idea to showcase the best new housing. They shared with CABE the aim of promoting high quality design and CABE's chief executive Jon Rouse supported the initiative. The three organisations entered into a formal partnership and invited architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell to chair a panel of experts to take the initiative forward. This panel included Martin Bacon, David Birkbeck, Keith Bradley, Steve Lidgate, Kelvin Macdonald, Dr John Miles, Dickon Robinson, Jon Rouse, Julian Smith, Peter Studdert and David Taylor. The Building for Life campaign was launched on 11 September 2001 with a manifesto, aiming to promote design excellence and showcase best practice in the house building industry; understand the needs and aspirations of home buyers; and identify barriers to good design whilst campaigning to remove them. At a meeting on 13 December 2001, Design for Homes became an advisor to the partnership in recognition for the considerable time and effort they had contributed to the initiative. Subsequently, Design for Homes produced a website on behalf of the partnership, www.buildingforlife.org, showcasing 10 very different schemes showing how housebuilding could excel in many different ways, provided it had adequate urban design manners and reasonable public and private amenity. Key principles of good urban design had been documented in a variety of ways including in By design: urban design in the planning system towards better practice (2000).: Objectives of Urban Design Character A place with its own identity Continuity and enclosure A place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished Quality of the public realm A place with successful outdoor areas Ease of movement A place that is easy to get to and move through Legibility A place that has a clear image and is