Coral Gables, Florida - The Congress for the New Urbanism Florida Chapter awarded the University of Miami's School of Architecture the John Nolen Medal for Contributions to Urbanism in Florida. As the highest honor conferred by the Chapter, this award recognizes the School's superior effort in furthering New Urbanism work in Florida. Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Dean of the School of Architecture, received this award on behalf of the University of Miami at the CNU Florida 2007 Statewide Meeting in January 2007.

     Since 1983, the University of Miami's School of Architecture has trained over 900 students through its Architecture and Suburb and Town Design programs. These students have moved on to influence community building and town design throughout Florida and the United States. The School's Knight Program in Community Building has advanced community-building knowledge through a series of interdisciplinary initiatives including fellowships, scholarships, conferences, charrettes, and publications. And the Center for Urban and Community Design has enabled the School's faculty and students to engage the South Florida community in numerous planning exercises for over 15 years.

     The Nolen medal was sculpted by artist Roberto Santo and cast in bronze. It features a likeness of John Nolen on one side and one of his town plans on the other. John Nolen was a pioneering town planner who had a national impact on town planning during the early twentieth Century, with some of his best known work in Florida, such as the plans for Venice, Sarasota and West Palm Beach. Nolen called the Sunshine State "a laboratory for town and city building."

     CNU (Congress for the New Urbanism) is a not-for-profit national organization that promotes walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl. CNU takes a proactive, multi-disciplinary approach to restoring communities. Members include planners, developers, architects, engineers, public officials, investors, and community activists who create and influence our built environment. The CNU Florida Chapter was the first state chapter to form and has been a national leader within CNU.

The Chairman of the Congress for New Urbanism Florida Chapter is Mr. Rick Hall, and can be reached at 850-222-2277.

We thank Ms. Annette Herrera from the University of Miami Office of Media Relations for the news. Ms. Herrera can be reached at 305-284-1607.

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