The City of Hamilton Recognized for National Planning Excellence

HAMILTON, ON – The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) has honoured the City of Hamilton with an Award of Excellence in the category of city and regional planning for their plan, “Putting People First: A New Land Use Plan and Zoning Bylaw for Downtown Hamilton.”

The Awards for Planning Excellence Jury said that the Plan was an excellent example of robust engagement efforts driving an integrated suite of planning tools approach to downtown planning, largely due to extensive efforts of municipal staff and stakeholders. The Plan features integrated planning approaches and multiple implementation tools to achieve a new vision for downtown Hamilton.

The annual awards, which recognize innovation, impact on the profession, overall presentation and implementation potential, represent the highest level of recognition the Institute bestows on professional planning projects.

In 2019, 37 submissions were received across 11 categories from across Canada. Projects were rigorously evaluated over three months by the jury, which was comprised of planning professionals from across the country. Recipients of the 2019 Awards for Planning Excellence and Merit will be formally recognized at the 2019 Canadian Institute of Planners National Conference in Ottawa, July 3 to 6, 2019.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of our Institute. Over this time, we have worked to identify and showcase the best of Canadian planning, and today we announce these 15 new projects and congratulate the individuals and organizations that have led in the development of these planning achievements.” 

Beth McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Institute of Planners

“On behalf of the Canadian planning community, I congratulate the recipients for their remarkable work. Their projects embody the finest examples of planning and are representative of the innovative work being done by Canadian planning professionals in Canada and worldwide.”

Eleanor Mohammed, RPP, MCIP President of the Canadian Institute of Planners

“I’m proud of our team that consistently delivers planning projects that will stand the test of time. Each member of this division incorporates the best practices of our industry and creates a ‘made in Hamilton solution’ that addresses the planning needs of our city while incorporating the vision of the residents of Hamilton. It’s especially an honour to see that the Downtown Secondary Plan has received national recognition in this regard.”

Steve Robichaud, Director of Planning & Chief Planner

“The work of the Planning division is truly exceptional. They work diligently to help build the city that we proudly call home. Their work impacts directly our vision to be the best place to raise a family and age gracefully. Congratulations to the entire division. Well done on this national recognition.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Institute of Planners works on behalf of over 7,000 planning professionals nationally and serves as the voice of Canada’s planning community since 1919.
• Planners safeguard the health and well-being of urban and rural communities by addressing the use of land, resources, facilities and services with consideration to physical, economic and social efficiency.
• The members work in both the public service and the private sector, across fields such as land use planning, environmental resource management, land development, heritage conservation, social planning, transportation planning and economic development.

For more information about Hamilton’s Downtown Secondary Plan, please visit Hamilton's Downtown Secondary Plan.