Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 27:

Smart City Bhubaneswar has added another feather to its cap after it won National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards-2017 awarded by the American Planning Association (APA).

The Odisha capital has been selected to receive Pierre L’enfant International Planning Excellence Award. Notably, Bhubaneswar is the only Indian city to have won this award this year.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his happiness after Bhubaneswar got the award.

“Good planning is not just preparing the community for the future, but engaging the residents in the discussions and decision making that will impact their lives. This year’s award recipients advanced the planning profession by more thoroughly engaging all residents in the planning process,” said W. Shedrick Coleman, AIA, 2017 chair of APA’s Awards Jury.

Notably, APA honors comprehensive planning efforts and inspiring individuals to recognize outstanding community plans, planning programs and initiatives, public education efforts, and individuals for their leadership on planning issues.

This year, five recipients were picked for National Planning Excellence Awards and 12 recipients were selected to receive Achievement Awards.

The awardees will get their recognition during APA’s National Planning Conference at a special awards luncheon May 8 New York City.