Industry News
Legislation To Create More Parks Introduced in House
Congressman Albio Sires (NJ) introduced legislation to create more parks and recreation space in our nation's urban centers. H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act would provide federal grants to states, local governments and community-based non-profit organizations to construct new parks and recreational facilities or rehabilitate existing ones in urban communities. Grant recipients must provide a thirty percent local match and submit a five-year action plan.
The intent of the legislation is to provide more open space and other recreational opportunities to urban areas, which will assist with improving the health and well-being of their residents and promote economic development of the areas. Notably, the legislation encourages the selection of projects that utilize sustainable landscape features, increase the urban forestry canopy, improve stormwater management, and provide overall environmental benefits to urban areas.
Currently, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act has 24 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for further action.
2009 Recipient of the Olmsted Medal
The Center for Planning Excellence is the 2009 recipient of the Olmsted Medal, a national award presented by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Under the direction of Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas, ASLA, the center has served as one of the most influential organizations to address the recovery needs of hurricane-devastated areas of Louisiana.
The Olmsted Medal was instituted in 1990 to recognize individuals, organizations, agencies, or programs outside the profession of landscape architecture for environmental leadership, vision, and stewardship. The Medal honors Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the founder of the American landscape architecture profession and steward of the environment. http://www.asla.org/AwardRecipient.aspx?id=23204
Housing Starts Decline in October after Rise over the Summer
Housing starts climbed 25 percent over the summer, after bottoming out in April. But in October Nationwide housing production fell 10.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 529,000 units in October as builders awaited word on whether an important home buyer incentive would be extended. More...
Landscape Architect Wins Boston Society of Architects' Women in Design Award Lynn Wolff, FASLA, Principal and President of Copley Wolff Design Group is one of three recipients of the 2009 Women in Design Award of Excellence awarded by the Boston Society of Architects' Women in Design Network. The award recognizes those who have designed their own lives in design, whose work exemplifies the best of process and product, and who use their experience and extraordinary achievements to give back to the world of design and to the community at large.
Other Award winners are Polly Flansburgh, founder and President of Boston by Foot and Barbra Batshalom, founder and Executive Director of The Green Roundtable.