National Planning Achievement Awards — Gold

Best Practice

Photo courtesy Interboro Partners.

AWARDEE: Campau/Davison/Banglatown Neighborhood Framework Plan, Detroit

GOAL: Legitimize communal "blotting," allowing residents to take, buy, and borrow nonadjacent lots for communal use.

OUTCOME: By expanding the existing side-lot program and proposing a new bundling program, the Campau/Davison/Banglatown Neighborhood Framework Plan responded directly to the community's desire to take advantage of unused space. The plan makes vacant lots available to buyers committed to rehabilitating them and empowers residents to be stewards of communal land.

JURY COMMENTS: This is a great example of a community listening to and encouraging residents to invest in and take ownership of their community.

Economic Development

Photo courtesy City of Austin.

AWARDEE: Souly Austin: Austin's Economic Planning Initiative, Austin, Texas

GOAL: Unite business and commercial property owners through a merchant association.

OUTCOME: The Souly Austin Initiative provides flexible tools for businesses to elevate the unique culture of each business district. The place-based economic development initiative strengthens communication between businesses and the city while creating a strong and distinct sense of place within each community.

JURY COMMENTS: Every city wants to be uniquely their own brand. Austin has integrated distinct community character into a strong economic placemaking project.

Implementation

Photo courtesy City of Lewisville.

WARDEE: Implementation of Lewisville 2025 Vision Plan, Lewisville, Texas

GOAL: Define and coordinate a citywide community vision for the next 100 years.

OUTCOME: Each of Lewisville's nine "Big Moves" serves as a strategic guide to move the city toward a communal vision for the future. Reporting tools ensure accountability and keep the entire community informed and invested in the process. The plan has redefined how the city makes everyday decisions, how it prioritizes its annual budget, and how city council members view development and land uses.

JURY COMMENTS: Every decision is built around these Big Moves, and the consistent reporting metrics keep everyone engaged through the long-term implementation goals.

Urban Design

Photo courtesy Fort Wayne Community Development.

AWARDEE: Downtown Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan, Fort Wayne, Indiana

GOAL: Transform unused urban spaces into a vibrant pedestrian network.

OUTCOME: The Downtown Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan challenges traditional ideas of "public space" by bringing unexpected and forgotten urban spaces to life with artwork, seating options, and programmed events. The resulting alley-way network encourages residents and visitors to explore the city's downtown like never before.

JURY COMMENTS: Effective, low-cost, pilot methodologies activate these spaces with demonstrated results.

—Brenna Donegan, APA's communications associate.