The Peace Bridge and Ebrington Square in Derry have won both the prestigious Place Making Award and the Overall Planning Award at the Irish Planning Institutes National Planning Awards 2011.
Speaking at the event, Planning Minister Alex Attwood, in offering his congratulations said: “Ebrington Square and the Peace Bridge are iconic symbols of the positive changes that are happening in the new, vibrant Derry. I thoroughly congratulate all involved in delivering this project which is a deserving winner of the Irish Planning Institute Award. This is an excellent example of the quality of place making which can be achieved and sets the standard for future schemes. I was privileged to attend the official opening of the Peace Bridge in June last year and, earlier this week, the opening of Ebrington Square which have both made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the historic city. The award is also a recognition of the excellent co-operation between Ilex and staff in the local planning office, both to influence the quality of the projects and to deliver quick decisions to allow this major regeneration scheme to progress.”
The Awards aim to highlight the best examples of planning practice and to raise the standard of townscape design and planning awareness both within the public and private sectors.
Notes to editors:
Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge physically and symbolically unites both sides of the River Foyle and is conceived as two distinct structural systems that work in harmony, a pair of identical curved suspension structures, each allied to opposing banks, in a fluid “S” shaped alignment. At the middle of the river both structural systems tangibly overlap, boldly interacting to create a single unified crossing – a structural handshake across the Foyle and an embrace in the centre of the river.
The Peace Bridge measures 235 metres and has a gradient of 1/50. Designed for pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge runs from behind Guildhall Square on to the former Parade Ground in the former Ebrington Barracks.
Ebrington
Ilex was set up in 2003 by the Office of the First and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department for Social Development (DSD) to plan, develop and sustain the economic, physical and social regeneration of the Derry City Council area.
The Ebrington site was first designated for military use during the siege of Derry in 1689, with construction of the permanent barracks commencing in 1839 and completing in 1841. The original barracks take the shape of a star fort and are laid out on three sides overlooking the city and River Foyle. There are a total of 19 buildings of historical and architectural note; 14 of which are listed.
Irish Planning Institute
The Irish Planning Institute is the professional body representing the majority of professional planners engaged in the physical and environmental planning in Ireland.
www.irishplanninginstitute.ie
.
National Planning Awards
The National Planning Awards seek to illustrate the diversity and wide scope of planning activity today, to give recognition to successful and innovative planning strategies, schemes or developments, which make an outstanding contribution to the quality of life in urban and rural parts of Ireland. The Irish Planning Institute presents a number of awards aimed at highlighting the best examples of planning practice during the previous years and to raise the standard of townscape design and planning awareness both within the public and private sectors.
Five winners have been selected from 28 entries while a further six projects have been specifically commended for their contribution to planning. In addition, an overall winner of the National Planning Awards 2011-2012 has been selected.
Place making Award
An award will be made for a project, building or group of buildings that, as a direct result of the effort and specific planning input, demonstrates improved quality of life for the community and demonstrated significant benefits outside of the site itself. Emphasis is on how creative housing, economic development, and private investments have been used to improve quality of life, provide employment and/or services in an area, using best conservation, urban design and planning practices.
For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office 028 9025 6058 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Speaking at the event, Planning Minister Alex Attwood, in offering his congratulations said: “Ebrington Square and the Peace Bridge are iconic symbols of the positive changes that are happening in the new, vibrant Derry. I thoroughly congratulate all involved in delivering this project which is a deserving winner of the Irish Planning Institute Award. This is an excellent example of the quality of place making which can be achieved and sets the standard for future schemes. I was privileged to attend the official opening of the Peace Bridge in June last year and, earlier this week, the opening of Ebrington Square which have both made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the historic city. The award is also a recognition of the excellent co-operation between Ilex and staff in the local planning office, both to influence the quality of the projects and to deliver quick decisions to allow this major regeneration scheme to progress.”
The Awards aim to highlight the best examples of planning practice and to raise the standard of townscape design and planning awareness both within the public and private sectors.
Notes to editors:
Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge physically and symbolically unites both sides of the River Foyle and is conceived as two distinct structural systems that work in harmony, a pair of identical curved suspension structures, each allied to opposing banks, in a fluid “S” shaped alignment. At the middle of the river both structural systems tangibly overlap, boldly interacting to create a single unified crossing – a structural handshake across the Foyle and an embrace in the centre of the river.
The Peace Bridge measures 235 metres and has a gradient of 1/50. Designed for pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge runs from behind Guildhall Square on to the former Parade Ground in the former Ebrington Barracks.
Ebrington
Ilex was set up in 2003 by the Office of the First and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department for Social Development (DSD) to plan, develop and sustain the economic, physical and social regeneration of the Derry City Council area.
The Ebrington site was first designated for military use during the siege of Derry in 1689, with construction of the permanent barracks commencing in 1839 and completing in 1841. The original barracks take the shape of a star fort and are laid out on three sides overlooking the city and River Foyle. There are a total of 19 buildings of historical and architectural note; 14 of which are listed.
Irish Planning Institute
The Irish Planning Institute is the professional body representing the majority of professional planners engaged in the physical and environmental planning in Ireland.
www.irishplanninginstitute.ie
.National Planning Awards
The National Planning Awards seek to illustrate the diversity and wide scope of planning activity today, to give recognition to successful and innovative planning strategies, schemes or developments, which make an outstanding contribution to the quality of life in urban and rural parts of Ireland. The Irish Planning Institute presents a number of awards aimed at highlighting the best examples of planning practice during the previous years and to raise the standard of townscape design and planning awareness both within the public and private sectors.
Five winners have been selected from 28 entries while a further six projects have been specifically commended for their contribution to planning. In addition, an overall winner of the National Planning Awards 2011-2012 has been selected.
Place making Award
An award will be made for a project, building or group of buildings that, as a direct result of the effort and specific planning input, demonstrates improved quality of life for the community and demonstrated significant benefits outside of the site itself. Emphasis is on how creative housing, economic development, and private investments have been used to improve quality of life, provide employment and/or services in an area, using best conservation, urban design and planning practices.
For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office 028 9025 6058 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Story by DOE
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