A community led scheme to regenerate Central Govan wins the UK and Ireland’s premier planning award
A ten-year, community led, planning partnership and investment framework, guiding the physical regeneration of Central Govan, has won the Silver Jubilee Cup, the UK and Ireland’s premier planning award. The Central Govan Action Plan was announced as the winner on Monday (June 23) at an awards ceremony held at The Shaw Theatre in the Pullman London St Pancras.
The Silver Jubilee Cup is awarded to the overall winner of The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence. The Central Govan Action Plan was also winner of the category, ‘Leading the way in planning for the community’.
Submitted by Glasgow City Council, the action plan has invested £88m into transforming Central Govan not just physically but also by raising the quality of life and instilling a sense of positive and lasting change into a community that has been in decline for the last 60 years.
Sir Terry Farrell CBE and Chair of Judges, said: “Community led and hard won, I applaud the passion and energy that has sustained the Central Govan Action Plan through the last 10 years. Overcoming tough urban issues typical of our post-industrial cities, the action plan has genuinely brought together a community to create, realise and sustain many physical, social and economic projects, bringing real and noticeable benefit to Govan. This is true pro-active and ‘bottom up’ planning in a robust environment, and a worthy winner of the Silver Jubilee prize.”
Cath Ranson, RTPI President, said: “The planned regeneration of the Central Govan is a great example of how community –led planning can change the lives of people living in that community. With planning and planners at the very heart of the regeneration process of Central Govan, the action plan has brought together different sectors to respond to local needs while at the same time engendering a sense of ownership, confidence and pride in the local community.
“I would like to congratulate all of our category winner and shortlisted candidates who entered the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. In this the RTPI’s centenary year I am delighted we are able to celebrate the contribution that planners and planning make to society, to the economy and to the environment, and highlight through these awards truly exceptional examples of planning.”
With 23,000 members worldwide working in the public, private, charitable and education sectors, the RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe. As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built and natural environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development. For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk. RTPI is a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 03784.
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate the contribution that planners and planning make to society, highlight exceptional examples of planning and inspire others to achieve the same high standards.
Jubilee Cup Winner 2014 – overall winner of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence
Winner; Central Govan Action Plan (including Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative) submitted by Glasgow City Council
Leading the way in planning for community
Winner: Central Govan Action Plan (including Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative) submitted by Glasgow City Council
PHOTO CAPTION: Susan Hanlin and Eamonn Campbell collect the Silver Jubilee Cup on behalf of Glasgow City Council.