The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center (UDC) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Architecture are collaborating on the city’s first Urban Design Awards (Urbies), elevating the importance of excellent urban design.

“The city’s partnership with UNC Charlotte on this awards program will recognize and promote good design throughout the city,” says Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba. “We plan to make this an annual event for special recognition of the urban design community that everyone can participate in and enjoy.”

The goal of the awards program is to recognize and celebrate quality urban design in Charlotte, while encouraging continued community discussion around what makes for unique and great places.

“The Urbies awards program resurrects a memorable and meaningful local tradition inaugurated by longtime Charlotte Observer editor and columnist Mary Newsom,” said UNC Charlotte School of Architecture Director Blaine Brownell. “As a newcomer to Charlotte, I am excited to support the launch of a new incarnation of this tradition, which is intended to encourage thoughtful and responsive urban design approaches that benefit all Charlotteans.”

Award recipients will be chosen by a diverse, 10-member community jury:

· Tom Hanchett, History South

· Ike Heard, Heard Systems

· Tobe Holmes, University City Partners

· Grant Meacci, City of Charlotte

· Cheryl Myers, Charlotte Center City Partners

· Mary Newsom, Center for the Living City

· Beth Poovey, LandDesign

· Ely Portillo, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

· Deb Ryan, UNC Charlotte School of Architecture, Jury Chair

· Clayton Sealey, CLT Development

Award categories may include:

· Great Transit/Trail Oriented Development

· Great 10-Minute Neighborhoods

· Great Neighborhood Center

· Great Community Activity Center

· Great New Life for an Old Place

· Great Public Space

· Great Placemaking

· Great Street

· Great Street Redesign

· Great Street Action

· Great Urban Architecture

· Great Urban Design Champion

· Great Neighborhood Activism

· Great Student Project

· The Crown Jewel

An awards ceremony recognizing the inaugural Urbie winners will take place on Thursday, September 23, at 5:00 p.m. Awardees will receive a custom award designed by the City of Charlotte and fabricated by Making Things CLT.

A public panel discussion about the awards recipients and their projects will take place on Friday, September 24, at 2:00 p.m. Registration for virtual or in person is encouraged.