The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is to take forward and manage the Built Environment Professional Education (BEPE) project from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2016/17, on behalf of the built environment sector.

Launched by the Government on the International Day of Disabled People in December 2013, to build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which showcased the value to society of inclusive design in the built environment, the aim of the BEPE project has been to inspire changes to professional standards and competencies, and raise the profile of inclusive design among professional educators and students.

Now, more than two years later, with the support of government and the Greater London Authority, the BEPE project is well underway and is now being placed in the custody of the industry sector, via CIC, to take forward and progress the work that has begun.

Looking ahead, CIC’s plans for the BEPE project include a new ‘Award of Awards’ to be presented at the Construction Industry Summit  Dinner, at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel in Central London, on 20 September. This new award will select a champion from among existing award winners for exceptional and inspired inclusive design in the built environment.

Speaking about the handover CIC chairman, Tony Burton, said: “Inclusive design that creates truly accessible and inclusive built environments for everyone in society, including the disabled, the elderly and families with small children, has to be the industry’s  ambition, and embedding inclusive design into built environment education is an important step towards that  goal. Our efforts now will benefit generations to come and add value to our buildings, places and public spaces in the long term.”