Planning students’ design for garden city wins award

Planning students’ design for garden city wins award

Two Urban Planning students from The University of Auckland have won a prize at the prestigious International Federation of Housing and Planning (IFHP) Congress, held in London last week. The IFHP is celebrating its centenary year and a highlight of their celebrations was an international student competition.

Ying Liu and Yuqing Zhou, who are both fourth-year Bachelor of Planning students at the School of Architecture and Planning were awarded one of three prizes for their entry based on the theme Garden Cities for Tomorrow-reinterpreting Garden City principles for the challenges of the 21st Century.

Ying and Yuqing’s entry focused on retrofitting Mangere. Their work updated Garden City principles to include visionary responses to the 21st century challenges of climate change; social justice; delivering healthy places whilst responding to demographic pressures; and the transformation to a green economy.

Three other Urban Planning student teams from The University of Auckland also made it though to the finals, having been judged to be in the top 15 entries from around the world. The work of all four Auckland teams was on show during the IFHP Congress. The only other university with multiple teams in the top 15 was University College London, with three teams.

“It is a tremendous achievement by our Urban Planning students. Ying and Yuqing’s placing amongst the top three prize winners is tremendous. Having four teams placed in the top 15 finalists shows the calibre of our urban planning programme, staff and students” says Dr Elizabeth Aitken Rose, Head of School of Architecture and Planning.

Ying Liu and Yuquing Zhou both flew to the UK to accept their award at a ceremony held at the University College in London.

The IFHP Centenary Congress was dedicated to cities and human settlement issues. The Congress’s overall theme A tomorrow for cities - for people, by people, was attended by more than 800 delegates from the built environment profession, including practitioners, policy makers, academics and students, from across the globe.

The University of Auckland’s National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries comprises the School of Architecture and Planning, Elam School of Fine Arts, the Centre for Art Studies, the School of Music and the Dance Studies Programme.

Ying Liu and Yuqing Zhou with Richard Weaver (from the IFHP) accepting their award at the IFHP Congress in London.

ENDS

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