What enabling does

We help public sector clients at the early stages of development projects develop skills in managing design.

We help public sector clients seize the opportunities presented by built environment projects.

Enabling operates at the early stages of development projects where a small, targeted engagement can make a huge difference. Our enablers directly influence the processes, structures, policies, skills and resources used to achieve well-designed, successful places. We aim to:

• facilitate quality developments through design-led processes
• help clients by using our networks of design expertise
• assist in using public investment to deliver quality outcomes
• provide advice to projects across all scales
• equip individuals/organisations to benefit from good design
• engender a design culture that can be developed by others.

Who benefits from enabling?

Enabling focuses on public sector clients who are pivotal in creating, developing, resourcing and managing the built environment. These organisations and individuals set the quality of built environment projects long before design professionals are involved.

We give strategic advice to build our clients' capacity to commission and influence the delivery of better buildings and places for all. We never replace consultancy or in-house expertise but complement and add value to these.

Our clients benefit from:

• one-to-one support from experts on both our enabling panel and Space enabling panel
• guidance in our client guides
• best practice through our enabling examples
• networks like our design task groups
• events which cover training and capacity building.

How is enabling funded?

We are funded by government and public agencies, and focus on major areas of public investment such as health, education, housing and regeneration.

We provide free support and advice to clients working in these areas as well as giving strategic advice to government departments, national and regional partners.

How long has CABE been enabling?

We created our first enabling panel in 1999 to help clients and their organisations develop skills in managing design. In 2003 we created the Space enabling panel to support the planning, design, maintenance and management of open space and public realm projects.