Twelve projects from nine different Canadian communities are recipients of the 2018 National Urban Design Awards. The recipients reflect a range of ideas about reclaiming and enhancing public space while addressing challenges such as urban density, environmental sustainability, and affordability.

Established in 2016 by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects the program showcases excellence in urban design, raises public awareness of the role of urban design in sustainability and quality of life in Canadian cities, and recognizes the contributions of individuals, organizations, firms, and projects.

The 2018 Urban Design Award medal recipients include:

• Urban Fragments
  Discovery Halts (Escales découvertes), Montreal,Que., lead by civiliti and julie margot design.
• Urban Design Plans
  TOcore, Toronto, Ont., lead by PUBLIC WORK and City of Toronto.
• Sustainable Development
  Rehabilitation of the waterfront and boardwalk at the Anse-du-Sud sector of Percé, Que., lead by AECOM.
• Small or Medium Community
  The Kuujjuaq Hackathon 2017: Reassembling the North, Northern Village of Kuujjuaq, Que., lead by McGill University, Minimum Cost Housing/Hackathon Group.
• Community Initiatives Award 
  Urban Beehive Project, Charlottetown, P.E.I lead by Nine Yards Studio.
• Student Projects
  [tactical] Infrastructure, Edmonton, Alta., lead by Bryce Clayton (University of Waterloo).
• Urban Architecture
  Place des Canotiers: Parkade, Artifact Wall, and Public Realm, Quebec City, Que., lead by DAOUST LESTAGE and ABCP.
• Civic Design Projects
  Place Vauquelin, Montreal, Que., lead by Lemay (Marie- Ève Parent, Jean-Philippe André, Sophie Lacoste, Carlos Santibanez).

The 2018 Urban Design Award merit recipients include:

•  Student Projects
  Domestic Insurgency – Towards Affordable Housing in Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C., lead by James Banks (University of Waterloo).
• Urban Fragments
  More Awesome Now Laneway Activations, Vancouver, B.C.,  Alley-Oop (2016); Ackery’s Alley (2018),  HCMA Architecture + Design.
• Urban Design Plans
  Six Points Interchange, Etobicoke, Ont., lead by SvN.
• Community Initiatives
  The 4th Ave Flyover, Calgary, Alta.,  lead by Tawab Hlimi, assistant professor in landscape architecture, Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary.

The awards ceremony will take place on Jan. 7, 2019, at the Ottawa Art Gallery.