News / Scarborough Renaissance wins top...
Scarborough Renaissance wins top international award for public participation
Thursday 27th August 2009
Scarborough is celebrating once again after winning the Project of the Year category in the International Association for Public Participation’s (IAP2) Core Values Awards 2009. Scarborough’s entry based on ‘Scarborough’s Future – Delivering an Urban Renaissance’, beat off stiff competition from 12 other projects from across the globe to take home the prestigious accolade.
The project was recognised for the high value it places on, and long-term commitment it gives to, all areas of public participation throughout the different phases of urban renaissance. This includes the public being involved in, and being able to influence, the decision-making processes that have helped to shape the town in recent years, and will continue to do so in the future. The project was also rewarded for achieving a highly definable outcome, with many phases of the project already completed or progressing well.
For Nick Taylor, Scarborough’s urban renaissance manager, this is probably the award that best demonstrates how much the community of Scarborough is at the heart of the whole renaissance process.
He said: “We are immensely proud of this award and it is well deserved recognition for all the members of the community that have been actively involved in the renaissance process since 2002. Our forward thinking approach in being committed to public participation at all levels has been the biggest part of our success, and it has meant that the community has been at the very forefront of the decisions that have shaped Scarborough into the diverse, cultural, and entrepreneurial town it is today; one in which people are rightly proud to live, work and play.”
Cllr Derek Bastiman, cabinet member for regeneration, strategic planning and community development added: “I am delighted that Scarborough has won yet another award that recognises the best practice we have achieved through renaissance. Coming on the back on both the Enterprising Britain and European Enterprise awards, this is fantastic recognition for all the dedication that the community has given to the process in the last few years. The award is richly deserved and I would like to express my personal thanks to all those who have helped to make it happen.”
John Thompson & Partners (JTP), consultant architects and community planners, nominated Scarborough for the IAP2 Awards. The practice has been involved in Scarborough’s success story since they started to lead the Renaissance community planning process in 2002. JTP’s central ethos is that “sustainable development is most effectively achieved if it engages stakeholder knowledge and commitment at every stage of the process”.
Charles Campion of John Thompson & Partners (JTP) said: "We're very pleased to be part of the success of Scarborough Renaissance through our initial participatory planning work with all sections of the community. Together we created a consensus vision for the town and established a Town Team, which has been so important in steering the process and driving through the delivery of Renaissance projects. The people of Scarborough can be justifiably proud of all that has been achieved and the IAP2 Project of the Year Award is a well deserved seal on this success."
Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency which has backed Scarborough through every stage of its renaissance journey, encouraged the town to start the process of public participation, including supporting the creation of a ‘Town Team’ to play a key role in the delivery of the vision for Scarborough.
David Custance, Assistant Director of Environment at Yorkshire Forward, said: "Throughout the whole process of Scarborough's Renaissance teamwork has been key, utilising the people of Scarborough's passion to transform their town into a place they can be truly proud of, which ultimately led to the success of the project."
