OTTAWA. - The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2006 National Urban Design Awards in the following categories:

• Conceptual /Theoretical Urban Design – Southeast False Creek Public Realm Plan, Stantec Architecture Ltd., PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. and the City of Vancouver.

• Approved or Adopted Urban Design Plans – Bow Valley Centre Masterplan, Sturgess Architecture in association with Carlyle and Associates, and Keith Orlesky.

• Urban Architecture – The South Circle Building, D’Ambrosio architecture + urbanism.

• Civic Design Projects – Quartier international de Montréal, Concept: DAOUST LESTAGE inc. architecture design urbain, Development : Le consortium Daoust Lestage inc. - Provencher Roy Associés.

• Urban Fragments – Ottawa Airport Water Feature, Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International Airport, Brisbin Brook Beynon, Architects in association with Stantec.

• Community Improvement Projects – Mole Hill Housing Project, Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden / S.R. McEwen Associated Architects.

• Student Projects – The Lane, Jing Xu, University of British Columbia School of Architecture.

• Student Projects – Urban Garden Live + Work, Karen Conty, Carleton University School of Architecture.

• A Sustainability Award is also recognized in Urban Architecture – Red River College, Princess Street Campus, Corbett Cibinel Architects.

Certificates of Merit recognize:

• Community Improvement Projects – TSA Guide Map: Toronto Architecture 1953-2003, Toronto Society of Architects Map Committee.

• Urban architecture – Le Quartier Concordia: Phase 1 – 2001-2005, Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex, Sir George Williams Campus, Concordia University, Montreal, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects / Fichten Soiferman Associés Architectes, in joint venture.

• Approved or Adopted Urban Design Plans - Dockside Green, Busby Perkins+Will Architects.

• Conceptual/Theoretical Urban Design Projects- ESPACE DALLAIRE, Brière, Gilbert + associés, architectures et design urbain.

“Cities don’t need to be capitals or large metropolitan areas with access to hordes of government and industry monies in order to thrive. They just need to follow good design, whether through revitalization of existing urban areas or the development of new ones – and involve everyone, from those working in municipal planning offices to residents of communities and neighbourhoods” said RAIC President Yves Gosselin, FIRAC. “The RAIC National Urban Design Awards recognize those who have risen to the challenge and contributed to the culture of cities.”

Vancouver Award

With support from the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, RAIC was also able to select special Vancouver Awards as part of this year’s 2006 National Urban Design Awards.

Two projects in the Conceptual/Theoretical Urban Design category received honours: • University of British Columbia University Boulevard - Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners in association with Hughes Condon Marler : Architects.

• MARINASIDE CRESCENT - James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc.

The National Urban Design Awards are part of a two-tier program held in co-operation with major metropolitan centres in Canada. Recipients are previous year's winners from participating municipalities, such as Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa as well as submissions from other communities in Canada.

The National Urban Design Awards were presented by the presidents of the RAIC, Canadian Institute of Planners, and Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a voluntary national association established in 1907 as the voice for architecture and its practice in Canada. Representing more than 3,500 architects, the RAIC provides the national framework for the development and recognition of architectural excellence.