‘Quality’ is an all-pervasive concept in contemporary architectural practice, yet it is also a somewhat vague notion that can be used for many very different valuations. Talking or thinking about a high-quality built environment opens up new opportunities for critical interpretation and for new social or ecological endeavours. By the same token, the concept of quality may limit the arena for the evaluation and legitimization of architecture to expert opinions.
This issue of OASE considers contemporary processes and environments in which the quality of (public) architecture is negotiated. How do state or city architects, urban quality commissions or design competitions ensure the quality of regional planning? What is the importance of the exchanges and negotiations between designers, experts, mediators and other stakeholders? And how do these ‘settings’ fit into the evolving frameworks of architectural culture, urban or infrastructural policy and the political economy?
