Media Advisory-Recognizing Excellence: Wondering What Makes a Community Healthy and Sustainable? Come and Hear About the Best of the Best in Planning

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 7, 2012) - The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) will announce the 2012 winners of the Excellence in Planning Awards and name an Honorary member at a press conference at 2 pm on November 8^th at Queen's Park. The Honorable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure will also be giving remarks.

2012 OPPI Award Winners

The Excellence in Planning Awards recognize innovation, creativity, professionalism, problem-solving, and communications in four categories: urban and community design, planning studies or reports, research/new directions, and communications/public education. These are the best of the best in planning. This year's winners were chosen from many highly qualified entries.

Honorary Member

Our newest Honorary member is an expert on the topic of Active Transportation and Complete Streets. He is one of the most recognized authorities on walkability, bicycle & pedestrian programs, street corridor & intersection design, traffic flow & calming, and other planning elements that affect roadway environments. He is currently working with urban and rural planners throughout North America.

The Ontario Professional Planners Institute is the recognized voice of the Province's planning profession. Our almost 4,000 members work in government, private practice, universities, and non-profit agencies in the fields of urban and rural development, urban design, environmental planning, transportation, health, social services, heritage conservation, housing, and economic development. Our Members meet strict 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"). www.ontarioplanners.on.ca

For further information: www.ontarioplanners.on.ca.