VCU Urban and Regional Planning Program Recognized for Revitalization Efforts

By Mike Porter

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program in Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs was recognized for efforts to revitalize Richmond’s neighborhoods.

The planning program was one of six recipients honored at the 2011 Golden Hammer Awards, presented by the Better Housing Coalition’s Center for Neighborhood Revitalization and the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods to celebrate excellence in the preservation and revitalization of the city’s historic neighborhoods.

Awards were presented to individuals and organizations in the categories of preservation advocacy, historic development, excellence in architecture, neighborhood design and planning, sustainable design and neighborhood revitalization. Honorees were chosen through a nominating committee comprised of select members of the Richmond community.

The urban and regional planning program received with the neighborhood revitalization award.

“The Better Housing Coalition nominating committee concurred that the urban and regional planning program at VCU has been instrumental in revitalizing Richmond’s urban neighborhoods,” said David Herring, vice president of the Center for Neighborhood Revitalization. “By providing neighborhood expertise to the City of Richmond, non-profit organizations and neighborhood civic organizations, the urban and regional planning program has had a profoundly positive outcome in the revitalization of our core urban communities.”

Niraj Verma, Ph.D., director of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, said the award recognizes the important contributions by the master of urban and regional planning program to area communities.

"The Golden Hammer Award to the graduate program in urban planning confirms its excellence,” Verma said. “The outstanding students in our program enjoy unique mentoring, training and education that enables them to make stellar contributions to the city. Community engagement is a hallmark of VCU's Quest for Distinction. It is also a major part of the Wilder School's graduate programs."

Other recipients of the 2011 Golden Hammer Awards include:

• Preservation Advocacy Award:

Catie Beck, CBS 6 News & Rachel DePompa, NBC 12 News

• Andrew Asch Historic Developer Award:

Walker Row Partnership

• Edmund A. Rennolds Jr. Excellence in Architecture Award:

Johannas Design Group

• Special Recognition – Neighborhood Design & Planning:

Del. Jennifer McClellan  

• Special Recognition – Sustainable Design:

Paul & Julie Weissend, Dovetail Construction

The 12^th Golden Hammer Awards reception and ceremony took place Nov. 3 at the Hippodrome Theater.