Griffith’s School of Urban and Environmental Planning has won two awards and been highly commended in another two categories of PIA Queensland’s 2013 Planning Excellence Awards.
Discipline Head Professor Darryl Low Choy said he was delighted by this recognition from the Planning Institute of Australia.
“It is vitally important that the significance of good urban and environmental planning is recognised not only within our profession but also by the broader community,” Professor Low Choy said.
“These awards are testament to highest standard of work being undertaken at Griffith in both teaching and research”.
Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Award
Associate Professor Eddo Coiacetto won the Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Award for his book Understanding Land Development — A Project-based Approach.
Community collaborations
A joint project involving Griffith’s Urban Research Program and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) won the Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award which acknowledges innovative and the promise of achieving the vision of excellence in Queensland.
Lead researcher on this project, Professor Low Choy said recognition of this ground-breaking work would help encourage more such important collaborations.
Another community-based project, The Cardwell & District strategic Action Plan 2012-2030 was commended. This project involves Griffith’s Urban Research Program and the Cardwell & District Community Futures Forum.
Student success
And a team of third year Urban and Environmental Planning students was commended for their entry in the Outstanding Student Project Award (Tertiary) category. Kari-Ann West, Brendan Barnes, Lorena Moynahan, Madison Ruygrok and Scott Mainey submitted a project entitled South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan 2013-2033.
The judging panel said the students had submitted a very comprehensive and innovative planning report, exploring a suitable strategic policy framework for the future management of South East Queensland under a climate change regime.
Professor Darryl Low Choy said he was especially proud of this student success.
“Future environmental planners will be the guardians of environmental planning practice. I am very proud that our students will take their place among those setting the highest professional, ethical and environmental standards,” he said.
