2020 Excellence in Placemaking Awards Launched

Following receipt of a very high standard of entries from all over the country to the inaugural Excellence in Placemaking competition last year, The Urban Land Institute (ULI) in conjunction with CBRE Ireland, has now formally launched the 2020 competition. The awards reward companies and community groups throughout Ireland that add to the public realm and create great places for communities in which to ‘live, work and play’.

The 2020 Excellence in Placemaking Awards competition is open to all public and private organisations as well as community groups in each Province of the country and entry is free. The best community project and best public/private sector project in each Province will each win a prize and there will be a national prize of €5,000 for the best overall project. For further information on the 2020 awards and details on how to submit an entry, please see www.cbre.ie/uli-placemaking-awards or email excellenceinplacemaking@uli.org

The closing date for entries to the 2020 competition is June 1^st 2020 with judging taking place during the Summer months and winners to be announced at an awards event in September.

Like last year’s competition, entries will be judged by a highly accomplished jury including esteemed planners, architects & academics including the internationally renowned architect, urban designer & planner Daniel Ringelstein. Jurors will operate independently, applying the highest standards of evaluation and professional practice as reflected in the code of ethics of the Urban Land Institute.

According to Tom Dunne, Chairman at ULI Ireland “These awards tie in with some of the key objectives of the Urban Land Institute in terms of identifying, showcasing & celebrating good design & placemaking in urban landscapes. The projects that particularly appealed to the judges last year were those that promoted health & wellbeing, offering ‘connectivity, permeability and accessibility’ for all whilst also promoting the best in architecture and design. The projects that particularly resonated with the judging panel were both architecturally beautiful and strong on design and we look forward to some great entries again in 2020”.

Weaver Park in Dublin 8 was selected as the overall winner of the 2019 competition, winning an award of €5,000 towards further enhancement of the facility while the winners of the various regional categories, who were all awarded specially commissioned trophies, were as follows:

Dublin

• Overall Winner – Weaver Park, Dublin 8
• Special Commendation – The Dublin Port Precinct project, Dublin Port

 Rest of Leinster

• Midlands Amenity Park, Moate, Co. Westmeath

 Connaught

• The Promenade Project, Mulranny, Co. Mayo

 Munster

•  Ballincollig People’s Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
•  Special Commendation – Harpers Island Ecological Project, Cork

 Ulster

•  The Green, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal

Myles Clarke, Managing Director of property consultants CBRE Ireland, sponsors of the competition, added “It is so important for the future of our built environment that we understand and champion great placemaking efforts throughout the country. I am delighted that CBRE are once again working with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to formally recognise & reward those who are building communities & creating amazing places. We are urging organisations and community groups throughout the country to submit entries for the 2020 competition and build on the momentum from last year’s competition.