Encouraging and enabling more efficient use of the car, developing higher standards, competency and confidence in urban design, and a Welsh town centre regeneration project are this year’s winners of the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Network Awards to be announced today (Wednesday 17th June).

The RTPI Networks bring together planners and other experts to investigate new approaches to spatial planning. The awards, entitled Excellence in Delivery – recognising good practice, and now in their 2nd year, provide recognition to the planners who have been particularly innovative in coming up with planning solutions. Winners will be announced by the RTPI President at 18:00 this evening at the RTPI Planning Convention Drinks Reception, sponsored by O’Neill Associates, to be held at the Park Plaza County Hall Hotel, 1 Addington Street, London SE1 7RY.

Martin Willey, RTPI President said: “The award winners have been chosen for the unique, innovative, informative and inspiring projects that they are involved in. I am particularly pleased with the high standard of entry and we will disseminate the good practice that has been highlighted through the activities of our excellent RTPI networks.”

The Winners are:
Regeneration Network Award 2009
The winner of the RTPI Regeneration Network Award is Gavin Lewis for the Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre Regeneration Project. As Project Manager, Gavin was responsible for overseeing the delivery of the project, and he undertook a partnership approach. Key outcomes from the project included job creation, public realm enhancements and increased environmental quality. The project was funded through contributions from the Objective One Programme, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and the private sector.

Gavin Lewis, Physical Regeneration Manager, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said: " Winning the award will highlight the recent regeneration activity in the area and demonstrate that a lot has been achieved by working with key regeneration stakeholders to reinforce Merthyr Tydfil town centre as the commercial and retail epicenter of the Heads of the Valleys region”.

Transport Planning Network Award 2009
The winner of the RTPI-TPS Transport Planning Network Award is Ali Clabburn for liftshare. When Ali founded the liftshare system in 1998 it was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Liftshare’s online network is a pioneering social enterprise that helps individuals to travel more sustainably by matching people with similar journeys. Over 310,000 people have already joined the liftshare network meaning that every day around 40,000 fewer car trips are made.

Ali Clabburn, founder and Managing Director of liftshare, said: “To be awarded by the RTPI for our contribution to sustainable transport is a real privilege. Our work is often commended for being green and innovative, but our impact on transport at a local level is really profound in many areas, and we are delighted to see the transport planning aspect of our service recognised and held up as best practice.”

Urban Design Network Award 2009
The winners of the RTPI Urban Design Network Award are Rob Cowan, David Chapman and Scott Adams, Directors of Urban Design Skills, for Capacitycheck. Launched in October 2008, the Capacitycheck skills appraisal method has received unprecedented support and collaboration from the world of urban design and planning. Created through strong partnership-working, Capacitycheck aids in attaining the future vision of a high quality and sustainable environment. The aim of the initiative is to aid in the development of higher standards, competency and confidence in urban design, and thus further the skills agenda. Capacitycheck is available to download free from the Capacitycheck website, www.capacitycheck.co.uk

Rob Cowan, Director of Urban Design Skills, said: “We have been amazed at how widely Capacitycheck is being used less than a year after its publication. Capacitycheck seems to be meeting a real need among people and organisations wanting to assess their placemaking capacity and to draw up plans to increase it.”

All 2009 RTPI network Award winners have received a free place at the RTPI Planning Convention to be held in London, 17th – 19th June 2009.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Jamie Hodge, Communications and Public Affairs Officer, RTPI on 07826 849 165 or email: jamie.hodge@rtpi.org.uk
Catherine Middleton, Regeneration Network Manager, RTPI on 07973 778654 or email: catherine.middleton@rtpi.org.uk
Nicola Gough, Transport Planning Network Manager and Urban Design Network Manager, RTPI on 07976 844790 or email: network.manager@rtpi.org.uk

Notes to Editors
1. The RTPI Networks are the responsibility of Trish Cookson, RTPI Networks and Associations Developer, with a team of Network Managers. Each Network has an Advisory Group of experts who advise on the development and activities of the network.

2. If you wish to attend the awards please contact Jamie Hodge, Communications and Public affairs officer, RTPI (details above).

3. The awards will be announced at 6.00pm, Park Plaza County Hall Hotel, London during the RTPI’s Planning Convention Drinks Reception.

4. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute
The RTPI is a dynamic organisation leading the way in the creation of places that work now and in the future. We understand that just as people develop places, so places develop people. We are committed to the enhancement of our natural and human environment, using spatial planning to manage competing pressures on our built environments and the very real effects on our space. Through our members, we constantly seek to create areas and places in which people want to live and work.

As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development. The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners worldwide, with over 22,000 members.

For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk

41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL
RTPI, a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 037841

Author:

Nancy Hammonds

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

18-Jun-09

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media

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