The Land Management Corporation (LMC), along with project partners, Hassell and Parsons Brinckerhoff, are celebrating this week after taking out the highest accolade at the Planning Institute of Australia SA’s 2010 awards for the Bowden Urban Village master plan.

The project team was recognised with the Minister’s Award – the premium award given on the night – at an event at the Adelaide Pavilion on Friday, 26 November 2010.

The judges labelled the project “an exemplary approach to planning and designing transit-oriented development precincts”.

Alun Chapman, Principal Urban Designer at Hassell, said the firm was extremely proud of its involvement in this landmark project.

“Bowden Urban Village is the first development of its kind in South Australia and will play an important role in bringing the Government’s 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide to fruition,” Mr Chapman said.

“Receiving the Minister’s Award is testament both to LMC’s vision for the development and the high level of collaboration between all the project partners to meet and exceed the parameters of the brief.”

LMC Chief Executive Wayne Gibbings said the award was welcome recognition for more than 12 months of hard work and demonstrated how a collaborative approach between government, urban planners and the local community could deliver good development outcomes.

“We engaged in a high level of community consultation and master planning in order to produce the foundations for a world-class development intended to rejuvenate the local area,” Mr Gibbings said.

“As the first project of its kind to be managed by LMC, we are determined to ensure that the Bowden Urban Village will be a showpiece urban development on the city’s doorstep.

“As well as eventually being a home to about 3,500 people, the 16-hectare site will be transformed into a walkable neighbourhood featuring cafes, specialty shops, offices and open space, all within walking distance and adjacent to the Adelaide Parklands.

“Bowden Urban Village will also demonstrate world’s best practice with regard to sustainability, community building and design excellence,” Mr Gibbings said.

He said construction is likely to begin on the Bowden site in 2011.

LMC, Hassell and Parsons Brinckerhoff also received the award for Urban Design – Plans and Ideas, with the judges commending the master plan’s high level of community engagement and incorporation of community outcomes.

These latest awards round off a stellar year for HASSELL, which has received a series of accolades for its design of Adelaide Zoo’s new Entrance Precinct, including the Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture and the Rob Dixon Award for Interior Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects SA Awards and the Gold Award and President’s Award at the Design Institute of Australia SA Awards.

This Media Release was issued by Hassell on 1 December 2010.