(June 18, 2008) – LOS ANGELES – The American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section (APA LA) announced its 2008 Planning Awards honorees during a ceremony on June 17 at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Approximately 200 local planning professionals attended the 16th annual event.
As the Section’s highest honors, APA LA’s annual Planning Awards recognize individuals and organizations for efforts that demonstrate excellence in planning and advance the planning profession. A volunteer panel of distinguished planning professionals selected 19 award-winners in 15 different categories, ranging from best practices and innovative technology to public outreach and green building.
The award-wining projects reflected the trend toward more community-specific solutions to planning challenges, as opposed to the large, sweeping planning efforts that struggle to embrace the distinct character of smaller neighborhoods.
“Showcasing the ongoing evolution of progressive planning in Los Angeles, APA LA’s Planning Awards shine a light on planning efforts that have created more livable communities that offer better choices for us all,” said APA LA Section Director, Kevin Keller, AICP. “Our colleagues’ accomplishments demonstrate the kind of smart planning that’s good for the future of Los Angeles County residents.”
Award recipients included individual planners, an engineering firm and a university, as well as city and county planning departments. Award winners become eligible to submit their entries for the corresponding APA California Chapter Awards, the profession’s highest honor at the statewide level.
The 2008 Planning Awards winners include:
Planning Excellence for Best Practice, Large Jurisdiction
- Simon Pastucha, City of Los Angeles Planning Department for Walkability Checklist
- Tri-Cities AICP Cooperative Training (Special Award of Merit)
Planning Excellence in Implementation, Large Jurisdiction
· Shana Bonstin, City of Los Angeles Planning Department for Community Design Overlays
Planning Excellence in Implementation, Small Jurisdiction
· City of Bell Gardens for Way Finding Signage
Planning Excellence Award for Grassroots Initiative
· Bert Green Fine Art and Psomas for Downtown Art Walk
Public Outreach Award
· Gabriela Juarez, County of Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning for Hacienda Heights Community Plan Update
· City of Los Angeles Planning Department for Northeast Los Angeles Hillside Work Program (Honorable Mention)
Planning Landmark Award
· City of Pasadena City Hall Project Team for Pasadena City Hall Seismic Upgrade and Rehabilitation Project
Innovative Use of Technology Award
· City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources for Survey LA and Office of Historic Resources Web sites
Focused Issue Planning Award
· Community Redevelopment Agency/Los Angeles and City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning for Industrial Land Use Policy Project
· Brian Judd, City of Pasadena for Pasadena Housing Agenda for Action (Award of Merit)
Social Change and Diversity Award
· Michael Laughlin, Psomas for New Dana Strand Affordable Housing
· City of Bell Gardens for Park View Terrace Senior Apartments and Bell Gardens Senior Center (Honorable Mention)
The Leadership and Service Award, Education Program
· Ken Bernstein, Office of Historic Resources for Los Angeles Historic Homeowner Education Program
Academic Award
· Cal Poly Pomona, Community Planning Studio for Arcadia City Center – URP 431/432
· Cal Poly Pomona, Undergraduate Studio, Fall 07/Winter 08 for Vermont Avenue Environmental and Community Opportunities (Honorable Mention)
Distinguished Leadership Award, Professional Planner
· S. Gail Goldberg, AICP, City of Los Angeles Planning Department Director
Distinguished Leadership Award, Elected Official
· Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles Councilmember, District 13
Distinguished Leadership Award, Citizen Planner
· John Ruhlen, Westchester (Award Recipient)
· Roman Gora, Westchester (Special Award of Merit)
· Elba Yanez, Westchester (Special Award of Merit)
Innovation in Green Building Program
· City of West Hollywood Planning Department, West Hollywood Green Building Program
About the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section
American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section (APA LA) is one of eight local sections of APA’s California Chapter. Comprised of more than 1,500 members in the Los Angeles region, APA LA brings local APA members together to share information and resources that make our communities stronger and healthier. APA LA sponsors a number of professional, educational and social events throughout the year.
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