The streets and structures of Charlotte are getting their moment in the spotlight once more as the city rolls out the nominations for the fifth annual Urban Design Awards, known colloquially as the Urbies. The awards, a collaboration between the City of Charlotte’s Urban Design Center and UNC Charlotte, are a celebration of the city’s strides in urban design, showcasing the individuals and their creations that contribute to Charlotte’s dynamism and hospitality. According to an announcement on the City of Charlotte’s official website, residents are beckoned to contribute their voices via the People’s Choice Award, a call to action for the community to determine this year’s paragon of urban design.
In addition to community engagement, the awards are tapping into local academic talent, urging students from surrounding universities to nominate projects that exhibit a perceptive grasp of urban design, and placemaking principles. These will be considered for the Great Student Project category. Yet for the array of other categories, from “Great New Development Near Transit” to “Great Suburban Design,” a jury composed of 10 urban design savants will elect the winners.
The Urbies is not just an ephemeral round of applause but a testament to the sustainable growth and creative expanse the city has undergone. With categories that span the gamut of urban development, these awards highlight the multifaceted nature of urban design—from revitalizing old spaces to fostering walkable neighborhoods, and enhancing public transport connectivity. The totality of this urban renaissance is set to be honored on October 23, during the awards ceremony.
Residents who are keen to participate, can cast their nominations now through September 12. To dive into the details and nominate a project, they should visit the People Make Cities blog as originally reported on the City of Charlotte’s news page.
