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Awards
National APA Grassroots Planning Award and Minnesota Innovations in Government Award
The Corridor Housing Initiative won the 2007 National Grassroots Planning Award from the American Planning Association and the 2006 Innovations in Minnesota Government Award (with the City of Minneapolis Corridor Housing Strategy). Convened by the Center for Neighborhoods , with the MDC providing design expertise, the project has been planned since 2002 to work on issues of higher density and affordable housing. For more information see:
http://www.planning.org/newsreleases/2006/ftp12190604.htm
Academic Health Center Master Plan won the American Planning Association,
Minnesota Chapter, Student Merit Award (2006)
The final student report from the Metropolitan Design Workshop won the APA, Minnesota Chapter, Student Merit Award for Academic Health Center Master Plan. The workshop was co-taught by Ann Forsyth and Katie Thering.
Designing Small Parks wins MASLA Merit Award and on List of Top 10 Books in
Planning (2006)
Designing Small Parks received a merit award for unbuilt work from the Minnesota Association of Landscape Architects. It was also listed as one of the top 10 books in planning for 2006. The Planetizen citation describes the book as "an elegantly structured, highly practical, accessible, and intensely researched handbook for professionals and concerned citizens alike to improve small parks in their neighborhoods for the betterment of human, animal, and plant communities."
Minnesota APA Outstanding Plan Award (2005)
The Corridor Housing Initiative, led by the Center for Neighborhoods, received a 2005 Outstanding Plan Award from the Minnesota APA. The Design Center has been part of the core technical team of CHI since its start in mid 2002. Led by the Center for Neighborhoods, with help from the Metropolitan Design Center at the University of Minnesota, the Central Community Housing Trust, the Center for Policy Planning and Performance, Dewar and Associates, and the Minnesota Environmental Initiative, CHI works to actively engage neighborhoods, cities, and developers with interactive, concrete tools, which raise the level of dialogue and understanding around redevelopment and affordable issues.
Minnesota APA Public Education Award (2005)
The Design Center's own Direct Design Assistance Program won a 2005 Public Education Award from the Minnesota APA. Since 2003, the Metropolitan Design Center's DDA Program has completed over 40 free projects for Minnesota neighborhood groups, cities, and nonprofits. The flexible program of short-term assistance has raised public awareness about urban planning. Bridging between general educational materials and large planning projects, such assistance helps communities unsure of their next steps reach consensus, raise funds, and understand how urban planning and design can help their communities. The program is actively marketed to communities that are disadvantaged socially or ecologically, communities that may have the least experience of the benefits of planning.
Sapling Commendation for Design Center Website (2005)
The Metropolitan Design Center website has been awarded a Sapling Commendation by the Sapling: Architecture, Planning & Landscape INformation Gateway for the quality and scope of the resources made available on this site.
"Formerly known as the Design Center for American Urban Landscape, the Metropolitan Design Center (MDC) describes itself as "an endowed centre that investigates how design can be used to make the metropolitan landscape more livable and sustainable. It examines urban design across metropolitan areas through projects, research, and education. The Center's work involves collaborations with faculty, nonprofits, and civic groups in the areas of metropolitan development, metropolitan green space, housing and active and healthy cities". The site is a rich and interesting resource - it includes extensive background about the Center, an excellent projects section with lots of photographs and downloadable PDF material, and an impressive 'reference centre' - this includes links to research, educational materials and information at the Design Center and other organisations, as well as useful resources such as downloadable Design Center publications, links to sources for information and events, and a great range of 'livable community fact sheets'. On top of all this, the site also features a terrific Image Bank - this is a searchable, downloadable database of approximately 20,000 Design Center images of the metropolitan landscape, including many low-level oblique aerial photos, and focusing on the Twin Cities area of Minnesota where the Center is based. Overall, the amount of quality material available on this site is staggering - truly a first class resource. Awarded a Sapling Commendation."
Innovations in American Government Finalist (2005)
The Minneapolis Corridor Housing Strategy was a finalist in the Innovations in American Government Award. The strategy involves two City of Minneapolis funding programs and the Minneapolis Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI), led by the Center for Neighborhoods. The Design Center has been part of the core CHI technical team over the past three years. In 2005 the Initiative will be expanded to other cities. For more information about the work of the center, including who was involved, see our page on Corridor Housing
Andrew-Riverside International Peace Park wins Horticulture Commendation (2004)
The Andrew-Riverside Park received the Governor's Certificate of Commendation in the Minnesota State Horticultural Society Awards. The Design Center contributed to the project through its Direct Design Assistance program.
Design Center wins MN American Planning Association Public Education Award (2004)
The Metropolitan Design Center's web site, including its public education publications and free online Image Bank, won the 2004 Minnesota APA Public Education Award.
Expanding Horizons won the American Planning Association, Minnesota
Chapter, Award for an Outstanding Plan (2004)
The final student report from the Metropolitan Design Workshop won the APA, Minnesota Chapter, Award for an Outstanding Plan (Professional Category) for Expanding Horizons in Cedar-Riverside: Opportunities for Walking, Biking, Open Space, and Economic Development. The workshop was co-taught by Ann Forsyth and Dan Marckel.
Planners Network and Progressive Planning Magazine (2004)
Planners Network and Progressive Planning magazine received the 2004 American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) National President's Award for promoting socially-informed and community-based planning. From 1994, Design Center director Ann Forsyth has held various positions including network Co-Chair, magazine Co-Editor, and Web Coordinator. In 2003,
Northeast Blaine Planning Study wins MASLA Award (2003)
The Northeast Blaine Planning Study was awarded a 2003 Honor Award for Planning by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The project was a two-year planning study, begun in 2000. It culminated in the production of a comprehensive plan amendment for a nine-square mile area in Blaine, a suburb located on the edge between urban and rural development north of Minneapolis. Along with typical illustrations of the future land use mix, the document includes specific design goals and principles for each of four neighborhoods. Based on smart growth and livable community goals, the design principles reflect the unique patterns of natural and cultural resources that characterize each neighborhood. For additional information and to download the comprehensive plan amendment please visit the Northeast Blaine Planning Study project page.
Northwest Corridor Planning and Design Framework (2002)
The Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) awarded the Northwest Corridor Planning and Design Framework its Award for an Outstanding Plan for 2002. The citation was awarded to the Design Center, in collaboration with Hennepin Community Works, Meyer, Mohaddes Associates, Inc., and RGL Consulting at the 30th Annual Minnesota State Planning Conference, in Minneapolis. The plan was part of a research project funded by Hennepin Community Works, for which the Design Center completed a corridor study and report.
Pleasure Creek Yard Planting Brochure (2001)
Creating a Landscape in the Pleasure Creek Neighborhood, yard planting brochure, received the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MASLA) Merit Award in the category of Public Planning, 2001.
Download the brochure:
Pleasure Creek Brochure
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