Last month the Scottish Executive published a bold report on architecture. It said that good design was central to the future of housing and other buildings in Scotland, whether public or private. It pledged itself to improve the quality of architecture across the country, because that was not only part of our "cultural aspirations", but was essential to the well-being of the people. And it made this commitment: "We believe that a concern for the quality of the built environment in our cities, towns and rural areas is a necessary responsibility of government."
