Nomination inspiration: Two questions

With just a month until the deadline for nominations (Sunday 15 February) for the Urbanism Awards, you might be thinking: I’d like to make a nomination or two, but I’m not sure what. Well, to help you out, this article outlines two broad questions to help get ideas flowing.

Question 1: What place(s) do you think more people should know about?

For many people, the Urbanism Awards is a valuable way of expanding their reference base and building a library of case studies – places to draw lessons from, visit, and build relationships with. So, where are the places you have enjoyed first-hand, that you find yourself referencing at work or recommending to friends?

Examples of this could be:

• A city you visited on holiday, whose culture and arts scene made you book a trip back the second you got home
• A nearby street that you make sure to incorporate into your running route because it’s pedestrian-friendly and has a great coffee shop for post-workout treats
• A hub near your parents’ house, whose community facilities and programming have helped them stay connected with neighbours new and old
• A city you studied abroad in which influenced your perspective of urbanism through its response to a historical challenge
• A neighbourhood in your city that demonstrates a commitment to human connection in an increasingly anonymous society

Question 2: What place(s) do you want to learn more about?

The Urbanism Awards programme is a deeply investigative one, with opportunities to explore shortlisted places in-person, hear from local representatives online and in-person, and read about for years to come through assessment reports. So what are the places you’d love this level of insight and exploration into?

Examples of this could be:

• The city whose public transport system you’ve geeked out over online but never had an excuse to visit
• The pioneering scheme you researched as part of your dissertation 20 years ago and still seems to be leading the way
• The mixed-use development that finally came to fruition on the abandoned industrial lot that sat vacant for most of your childhood
• The retrofit project you’ve eagerly watched activists and experts champion on social media
• The city whose mayor you once heard speak at a conference and blew you away with their story of transformation

Ready to nominate?

We just want to know about the places that are demonstrating or working towards great physical, social, and economic urbanism. Not complete perfection, not just schemes you’ve worked on professionally – but the places that work well from your perspective as a citizen or visitor. Whether that’s to do with a transport system, a commitment to community infrastructure, an investment in heritage assets and retrofit, having overcome a particular challenge – the list is endless.

The categories:

European Cities
Recent finalists have included Nordic capitals (Helsinki), sunbaked seaside spots (Estepona), and modernised medieval fortresses (Amersfoort)

Great Towns / Small Cities
Recent finalists include far-flung island urbanism (Stromness), sites of sustainable development (Lewes), and Roman World Heritage Sites (Caernarfon)

Great Neighbourhoods
Recent finalists include co-housing developments (Marmalade Lane), Community Development Trusts (Graylingwell), and urban extensions (Beaulieu)

Great Streets + Spaces
A new amalgam of the former Great Streets and Great Places category, recent finalists include a new community centre in the heart of an estate (Arc Westcliff), a neglected-heritage-site-cum-city-centre-park (Union Terrace Gardens), and a former rat run whose local businesses fought to make room for people (Venn Street)