NEWS RELEASE
HRMbyDesign Wins Two National Design Awards
(Tuesday, June 8, 2010) - HALIFAX - Halifax Regional Municipality’s strategy to revitalize its downtown has been recognized with two prestigious national design awards. The visionary plan, called HRMbyDesign, has been honoured with the Canadian Institute of Planners’ 2010 National Award for Excellence in City Planning and The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s 2010 National Urban Design Award.
In welcoming news of the awards, Mayor Peter Kelly gave credit to the countless residents who contributed to the strategy, as well as the volunteer Urban Design Task Force and the HRM project team members who coordinated everything, led by project manager, Andy Fillmore.
“These are awards that truly belong to all of them,” said Mayor Kelly. “They’re the ones who put in the countless hours needed to make this the award-winning plan that it is. My hat goes off to them.”
Mayor Peter Kelly said Regional Council is a strong supporter of the downtown strategy.
“We acknowledge the importance of having a strong urban design plan for the city, in order to create a sustainable and liveable city for future generations to enjoy.”
Project leader Andy Fillmore said he was thrilled to learn that the HRMbyDesign has been recognized by two such significant organizations.
“Planners, urban designers and heritage preservationists from across the country are looking to HRM to see where they might go. This is incredibly gratifying for all who have had a role in this plan.”
HRMbyDesign incorporates the municipality’s first heritage conservation district and a new, design-based development review process. The strategy envisions a vibrant, walkable, world class city for the 21st century and became effective October 24, 2009.
HRMbyDesign is a key element of the Regional Plan adopted by Council in 2006. It is intended to provide a sustainable urban design strategy for the Regional Centre, which includes downtown Halifax and Dartmouth, inside the Circumferential Highway.
The award from The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada was established four years ago “to recognize individuals, organizations, firms and projects that have contributed to the quality of life in our Canadian cities and their sustainability.”
HRM’s contribution was praised for being “a good common sense, professional, well-analysed, well-described piece of planning...which will probably work because it seems thoroughly implementable.”
In addition, the jury “especially liked how the design team took the environmental and historic context into account to create the new fabric of the area.”
The Canadian Institute of Planners’ award “seeks examples of innovative and effective initiatives that enhance the social, economic, and environmental well being of a city.”
The Institute enthusiastically supported HRM’s submission and noted: “HRM by Design: The Downtown Halifax Plan, sets a new standard for municipal planning initiatives...and articulates what Haligonians value and demonstrates how these can be incorporated in the urban fabric to the betterment of all.”
For more information on the two awards - which will be given out this fall - please visit the respective organizations on the web at www.raic.org. and www.cip icu.ca . For more information on HRMbyDesign, visit www.hrmbydesign.ca
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
HRMbyDesign Project Manager
Andy Fillmore
490-6495
