The winners for the 11th annual Charter for New Urbanism (CNU) Awards have been announced in the US.
From a field of over 100 entries from around the world, the jury recognised seven professional projects and two academic submissions for excellence in urbanism.
The grand prize for professional projects was awarded to South Coast Rail Economic Development & Land Use Corridor Plan, submitted by Goody Clancy.
In the academic competition, first place was bestowed upon Strategies for Sustainable Skaneateles, submitted by the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.
In light of the global financial crisis and slow recovery, nearly all of the projects selected for honours showcase sensitivity to the economics of the times. Many of the award-winning projects highlight an unprecedented level of coordination between all levels of community stakeholders, acknowledging the complexity of the issues a majority of our localities currently face.
The CNU says that remaining dedicated to proven development principles in building quality, mixed-use neighbourhoods, and advancing reforms in codes and other city policies, the Charter Awards recipients show how New Urbanists are meeting today's challenges by emphasising quality of life, safety and sustainability in our communities.
South Coast Rail Economic Development & Land Use Corridor Plan, the grand prize winner from Goody Clancy, coordinates transportation investment with economic development, and in the process represents high-level collaboration between towns, cities, and regional and state agencies.
The top winner for the academic award, Strategies for Sustainable Skaneateles, submitted by the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, sets out to preserve the rural character of the small, upstate New York town it focuses on, while at the same time incorporating innovative land-use constructions to increase the density of development (pictured below).
The winners are rewarded for embodying the 27 principles of livability and sustainability that form the core of the Charter for New Urbanism (cnu.org/charter). Winners also respond to principles in a companion to the Charter, the Canons of Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism (cnu.org/canons).
Project descriptions and images of this work can be found at cnu.org/awards.
Image: Grand Academic Prize winning plan from students of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture weaves elegant and modest infill interventions into the historic fabric of a small town and village of Skaneateles, New York.
