Wokingham regeneration project leads to Urban Land Institute Award
Wokingham Borough Council’s town centre regeneration project is a winner of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Europe Awards for Excellence.
The awards saw the project pitched against towns across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Winners were selected for their level of quality and forward-looking approach to development and design, as well as their resilience in light of the challenges imposed by the global pandemic.
Councillor Stuart Munro, executive member for business and development, said: “There is something really special about Wokingham and the areas around it so, to see it receiving the recognition it deserves, is something I think everyone living or working here should be proud of.
“The regeneration has been our opportunity to give residents the town centre they deserve. It’s been great watching the community embrace spaces like Elms Field and Peach Place as places to gather and enjoy.”
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Winning the ULI Europe award means the regeneration project will automatically be entered into the ULI Global awards, the winners of which will be announced in October.
Other awards won by the regeneration since Peach Place and Elms Field were completed include the Royal Planning Town Institute (RTPI) Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy Award, and the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Annual Service Award for best housing, regeneration or new build initiative.
Giancarlo Scotti, chair of the 2021 ULI Europe Awards for Excellence Jury, said: “In an extremely challenging year, these laudable projects demonstrate what can be achieved with great ambition and a flexible approach,
“The quality of the entries was extremely high, but the winners stood out as case studies that highlight some of the best initiatives around currently, particularly with regard to housing, sustainability, circular building, regeneration, and community building. We believe that they will prove valuable for ULI members and others in the industry to learn from.”
Elms Field and Peach Place have also been selected for inclusion in the Society for Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying (SPACES) Yearbook, with Elms Field shortlisted as a finalist for the Civic Building of the Year award which is set to be judged later in 2021.
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