As the British Government shelves the project to build and rebuild schools across the nation, Rowan Moore, architecture critic at The Observer and Rick Jones, teacher and journalist consider the effect building design has on learning.
Moore argues that architecture is crucial, and point to "how much harm bad buildings can do. Tatty, dysfunctional structures can demotivate and demoralize. A leaking roof, undersized classrooms, or poor heating put direct obstacles in the way of a school's success."
It is slightly harder to state the case positively, and Rowan Moore argues that buildings can distract from the fact that teachers and their aims. "The announced discontinuation of building works might be seen as a return to the idea that the teacher is the center of the education universe."
FULL STORY: Do Good Buildings Make For Better Educated Children?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions