Registered professional planners who have performed exceptionally in urban and rural planning across Ontario were given Excellence in Planning Awards by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute in an Oct. 31 event held at Queen’s Park.
The awards, which the association gives out annually, recognize planners who have demonstrated innovation, creativity and professionalism in the fields of urban and community design, planning and public education.
“The 2017 OPPI Excellence in Planning Awards celebrate the very best of planning and the role of registered professional planners to improve and strengthen communities across Ontario,” said OPPI president Jason Ferrigan, RPP, explaining that urban planners are the educated professionals with an ethical commitment who guide government leaders, stakeholders and the public in building more “sustainable communities.”
This year’s winners are the following: Windmill Development Group, Dream Unlimited, Perkins+Will and Fotenn Planning+Design behind the Zibi Master Plan in the Urban/Community Design category; City of London for the London Plan and ERA Architects, Centre for Urban Growth and Renewal, United Way Toronto, City of Toronto and Toronto Public Health for the RAC Zone in the Municipal Statutory Planning Studies, Reports, Documents category; Civicplan for PlanLocal: Safe Streets, and WSP Canada/Metrolinx for the New Mobility Background Paper for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in the Research/New Directions category, City of London for ReThink London, and City of Kitchener for Love My Hood: Kitchener’s Guide to Great Neighbourhoods in the Communications/Public Education category; and City of Kitchener for Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations – PARTS Central Plan in the Community Planning & Development Studies/Reports category.
Additionally, the OPPI, together with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, presented Healthy Communities Awards to the following: City of London for The London Plan and ReThink London, and Windmill Development Group, Dream Unlimited, Perkins+Will and Fotenn Planning+Design for the Zibi Master Plan.