SCHOOL WINS NOLEN MEDAL

The Congress for the New Urbanism Florida Chapter awarded the John Nolen Medal for Contributions to Urbanism in Florida to the University of Miami School of Architecture at the CNU conference in Winter Park, Florida 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 college’s Knight Program in Community Building has advanced community-building knowledge through series of interdisciplinary initiatives including fellowships, scholarships, conferences, charrettes, and publications.  Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Dean of the School of Architecture, accepted the award on behalf of the University of Miami.

The Nolen medal was sculpted by artist Roberto Santo and cast in bronze.  It features a likeness of John Nolen. 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 right here in Florida. Nolen called the Sunshine State “a laboratory for town and city building.”

CNU (Congress for the New Urbanism) 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.