Design Excellence Panel - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice

Introduction/Background It has been identified by WMCA that greater focus on design excellence is required within Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to ensure that projects are designed and delivered to the highest standard and to promote TfWM's mission to embed equality, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, disability, safety and sustainability across its network. At its core, design excellence is the amalgamation of functionality, aesthetic, and innovation, which will enhance customer experience and increase patronage through the pursuit of positive design. To ensure this mission is fulfilled, WMCA are seeking to create a Design Excellence Panel, made up of a number of specialists across various sectors to inform decision making and assist with quality assurance within TfWM. The panel will act as a critical friend to project development and act accountably through positive interactions. Scope and programme Initially, the panel will be formed for 1 year, with reviews and evaluations happening regularly to ensure the panel remains relevant and forward thinking. Workshops with panel members will occur every other month but may increase based on need and demand. Site visits, where required, will occur on agreed dates. WMCA are looking initially to build a group of around 20 people from diverse professional backgrounds to assist with our vision, with the view of potential growth over time to allow focus on regions within the West Midlands. These individuals will be: • Architects • Inclusive Design Specialists • Place Curators and Artists • Access Consultants • Urban Planners • Landscape Architects • Heritage and Conservation Experts • Sustainability Consultants • Public Health Experts • Civil Engineers • Structural Engineers • Charitable organisations • Community Groups The panel will also assist with the creation of and have an interest in the creation of 'design guides' that are focused on specific areas of transport/infrastructure and public realm design. Members must either live within the West Midlands or have worked within the West Midlands for a significant period and demonstrate a good working knowledge of the region and its demographic. The rationale here is that they are a group of people who understand the needs of the West Midlands and will be best placed to provide support to ensure that our work is as reliable, joined up and fit for purpose. The panel will be made up of aroud 20 members. Each workshop will be made up of 5 to 8 panel members, the project manager or sponsor, the designers and any other party with vested interest. Organisations will be compensated £300 for a half-day (3 hours) workshop and £600 for a full day's (6 hours) workshop for each panel member that attends. Panel members will be selected by WMCA to attend a workshop. There will be no guarantee on the number of workshops that a panel member is selected to attend. The Panel will: • Develop and implement design principles aligned with TfWM's local transport plan. • Champion health, safety and environment. • Provide expert design advice and assurance at key project milestones. • Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration between architects, engineers, planners, public health and stakeholders. • Champion innovative design solutions to support behaviour change, inclusivity, disability and sustainability. • Use evidence-based practice within its recommendations. • Monitor and evaluate design outcomes to ensure continuous improvement. • Implement a Placemaking policy and act as an enabler for future development and regeneration. • Harness industry standards and champion the development of the region through learning and development from within. • Be accountable for their comments and how they shape project development. The panel will not: • Review or comment on technical standards of track design (Metro or Rail) • Detract from Mandatory design standards created by statutory bodies • Ignore statutory requirements and standards that cannot be amended (e.g. Building Regulations) • Comment or review anything that may not be agreed within the panels scope at the start of a project. • Make final decisions on project budgets or procurement routes. The final decision will rest with project team and WMCA governance routes. • Enforce its comments on projects.