RIBA’s splendid headquarters building in Portland Place, London was a suitable setting for announcing the winners of this years AJ/RPS Urban Design Scholarship Sponsored by RPS, the scholarship is intended nurture new talent in the field of Urban Design. The scheme was open to anyone who could demonstrate a flair for design and an interest in influencing urban change.

The winners will work with a Design for London mentor and will originate or help develop an existing project. The scholarship will help the winners to “learn by doing” and increase their understanding of how cities get made. They will also receive a grant of up to £6k.

The symposium began with a thought provoking panel discussion about the nature of Urban Design whilst trying to quantify the term. The panel chaired by editor of Architects Journal Kieran Long, included Jeremy Grint (Head of Spatial Development, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham), Robert Mull (head of architecture at London Metropolitan University), Mark Breally (Design for London), and Colin Bloch (RPS P&D). They concluded that Urban Design is more a concept that encapsulates many different disciplines than a specific entity. This issue was addressed by Colin Bloch who stated that "RPS wanted to establish a professional identity for Urban Designers, who currently fall between professional stools."

A question and answer session, which raised a wide range of issues, was followed by the announcement of the winners.

The winners were Fiona Scott, Alicia Pivaro and Joe Scott who all displayed great potential in the field of Urban Design.

Colin Bloch said that it was hoped RPS might also learn from the AJ/RPS scholars "once they are liberated from their normal constraints of practice or academia in their response to the particular challenges of the scholarship programme."

Contact:
RPS Bristol - Planning and Development
T: +44 (0)1454 853 000