OPPI Recognizes Excellence in Planning & Releases Call to Action on the Public Realm

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2016) - The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) announced the 2016 winners of the Excellence in Planning Awards today at a press conference held at Queen's Park. The Institute also released a Call to Action: Healthy Communities and Planning for the Public Realm that urges planners, government, municipal departments and agencies, and other related professionals and members of the public, to make the public realm a focus in community building and placemaking efforts across Ontario.

The Excellence in Planning Awards recognize innovation, creativity, professionalism, problem-solving, and communications in urban and community design, planning studies or reports, and public education. These are the best of the best in urban and rural planning across the Province.

"The 2016 OPPI Excellence in Planning Awards celebrate the most progressive advancements where professional planners are working to protect and further the public interest. Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) are key integrators and visionaries in the space between government planning policies, the public and other regulated professionals. Today's award winners showcase those who are leading the way in planning sustainable communities and spaces for the future," says OPPI President, Andrea Bourrie, RPP, who presented the awards.

"OPPI's Excellence in Planning Awards represent the highest levels of mastery in the profession of planning, leadership and commitment to serving the public. The work of this year's award winners is exemplary of Ontario's commitment to innovative design, research and excellence of service," says Peter Milczyn, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, who attended the awards as a special guest.

The winners in this year's categories are:

Urban/Community Design

Urban Strategies

University of Ottawa Master Plan

Municipal Statutory Planning Studies, Reports and Documents

Meridian Planning Consultants

Elgincentives Community Improvement Program

Research/New Directions

WSP/MMM Group

Feasibility Study for the Expansion of Bike Share Toronto

Communications/Public Education

City of Ottawa, Planning and Growth Management Department

Minimum Parking Review: The Movie

In addition, the OPPI and Heart & Stroke Foundation's Healthy Communities Award was given for the Feasibility Study for the Expansion of Bike Share Toronto. This special award recognizes excellence in creating healthy communities.

OPPI and Heart & Stroke Foundation's Healthy Communities Award

WSP / MMM Group

Feasibility Study for the Expansion of Bike Share Toronto

The annual awards event also coincides with another key planning celebration. Earlier this week on November 8th, planners around the world celebrated World Town Planning Day, raising awareness of the importance of planning in their communities.

About the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)

OPPI is the recognized voice of the Province's planning profession. Our almost 4,500 members work in government, private practice, universities, and not-for-profit agencies in the fields of urban and rural development, community design, environmental planning, transportation, health, social services, heritage conservation, housing, and economic development. Members meet quality practice requirements and are accountable to OPPI and the public to practice ethically and to abide by a Professional Code of Practice. Only Full Members are authorized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute Act, 1994, to use the title "Registered Professional Planner" (or "RPP").

Professional - Accountable - Future-driven - Collaborative - Progressive

Twitter: @OntarioPlanners

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Website: ontarioplanners.ca

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