ɫ��ɫ

CALGARY, ALTA. — Winners of 10th edition of the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards (MUDA) were announced recently during an event, showcasing excellence in design, construction and environmental stewardship.

This year there were 67 applications across 11 MUDA award categories.

“We are thrilled with the variety and quality of the submissions, as they show real commitment to the awards program, and more importantly, how proud our design and development community is of the work that they are doing in this city,” said David Down, chief urban designer with the City of Calgary, in a statement.��

Since the program began in 2005, 188 awards and honourable mentions have been handed out, with 10 of those winners going on to win .��

The awards ceremony closed with a panel discussion that tackled tough questions, including how bold designs can integrate into the fabric of communities, and what factors should be considered in the city’s design future.

“I think very often because we sit on our side of the counter and we drink our own Kool-Aid; we will do great things, – but does the public experience them the way we think?” said panellist Bill Black, president and CEO of the Calgary Construction Association.��

“In North America, more so than Europe, we tend to think it’s ‘good design if I like it and, bad design if I don’t’. There’s an education gap that design doesn’t always have to be what you like. But design does have to serve the purpose for which it was intended and to enhance the quality of life.” 

Winners and honourable mentions can be viewed at .