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Community Planning Awards
The Cambridge Community Department's innovative planning programs have long received national recognition. Here is a list of rewards received for our programs, plans, and initiatives over the past several decades.
2019
Comprehensive Planning Award from the American Planning Association – Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA)
The Envision Cambridge citywide plan received the 2019 Comprehensive Planning Award from the American Planning Association – Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA). The prestigious award honors a planning project that strives to create a thriving community and advances the APA-MA’s mission to enhance planning in Massachusetts through education, advocacy, outreach, and communication.
2016
STAR Communities 5-Star Rating
The City of Cambridge received national recognition by achieving a 5-STAR Rating from STAR Communities (STAR), a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. STAR is the nation’s leading framework and certification program for evaluating local sustainability, encompassing environmental, social, and economic performance measures. Cambridge received the highest score awarded to date, reflecting high marks for its work on a range of issues, including transportation choices, energy efficiency, arts and culture, and innovative programs for youth engagement and community policing, among others.
2015
America’s Best New Bike Lanes of 2015
PeopleForBikes ranked the Western Ave Protected Bike Lane as the best new bike lane constructed in America during 2015
#1 in Nation for Bike Score
Cambridge was ranked as having the highest Bike Score in the nation in 2015 with a rating of 93.
#2 in Nation for Walk Score
Cambridge was ranked as having the highest Walk Score in the nation in 2015 with a rating of 92.8.
Bright Ideas in Government
Given by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard JFK School of Government for Cambridge Food & Fitness Policy Council.
2014
Congress for New Urbanism Charter Award for Best Urban Infill Plan
The Kendall Square Plan from the Kendall Square Central Square Planning Study (K2C2) Planning Study won the 2014 CNU Charter Award for Best Urban Infill Plan from the Congress for New Urbanism.
ECO Awards – Pinnacle Leader Award Winners
The City of Cambridge was honored with the Pinnacle Leader from MassCommute in their annual Excellence in Commuter Options award ceremony.
Edgar Klugman Award
Given by the Play, Policy & Practice Interest Forum of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for Healthy Parks and Playgrounds Task Force.
Organization of the Year Award from Cambridge Community Television
The Cambridge Energy Alliance received this award presented annually to the organization that has made the best use of CCTV, and recognizes informational programming to raise awareness of energy efficiency. See the award here.
2013
Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award
We are proud to have been named a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
ECO Awards - Leadership in Innovation Award Winners
The City of Cambridge was honored with the Leadership in Innovation Award from MassCommute in their annual Excellence in Commuter Options award ceremony.
2012
Best Walking City in the US
For the second time the City of Cambridge was named the Best Walking City in America by Prevention Magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Learn more about our Pedestrian programs.
2011
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Design Award
New Riverside Park, located along Memorial Drive at Western Avenue, recently won a Boston Society of Landscape Architects Design Award in the category of Parks and Open Spaces.
Learn more about the Boston Society of Landscape Architects Design Award.
Learn more about New Riverside Park.
Massachusetts Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) Award
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) - through MassRIDES and MassCommute - supports Massachusetts employers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through decreased drive-alone trips while encouraging employees to travel to work by transit, carpools, vanpools, or by bicycling or walking. The City of Cambridge received a Pinnacle level ECO Award for its "exemplary commuter benefits program."
2010
Climate Resilient Communities Program
Cambridge is one of the first communities selected to participate in the Climate Resilient Communities program, the first comprehensive climate adaptation program for local governments developed by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA. Cambridge was selected by ICLEI USA to be one of eight Inaugural Adaptation Communities that will receive cutting-edge online tools, technical support and other resources.
2009
Thomas Jefferson Award from the American Institute of Architects
Subject: Roger Boothe, Director of Urban Design
Roger Boothe, the Departments' longtime Director of Urban Design, received a 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The award goes to public-sector architects who manage or produce quality design within their agencies. According to the AIA "The jury was impressed particularly with the incredible depth and persistence in Mr. Boothe's commitment to his community's long-term growth. His accomplishments during his tenure in Cambridge have created a truly magnificent urban fabric that is enlightened in its vision and is fabulously rich in content"
Go to the AIA web site for more information.
Also see this article in Architectural Record.
2008
Best Walking City in the US
The City of Cambridge was named the Best Walking City in America by Prevention Magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Learn more about our Pedestrian programs.
2007
CHAPA Municipal Leadership Award
Each year the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association conveys an award to a municipality that has shown initiative and leadership in increasing the supply of affordable housing in its jurisdiction.
Learn more about CHAPA.
US EPA Environmental Merit Award
The Climate Action Team of the City of Cambridge received an Environmental Merit Award in recognition of its exceptional work and commitment to the environment from the New England office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn more about the US EPA's Environmental Merit Awards.
2006
Best Workplace for Commuters
The City of Cambridge was recognized as a Best Workplace for Commuters by the National Center for Transit Research and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn more Best Workplaces for Commuters.
Golden Shoe Award
The Community Development Department received a Golden Shoe Award from the Cambridge Health Alliance for its efforts as Fitness and Wellness Leader in promoting pedestrian and bicycle programs.
ICLEI 5 Milestone Program
The City of Cambridge received the award for the completion of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign's 5 Milestone Program from the ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability.
Learn more about ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.
Massachusetts APA Outstanding Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning
Subject: Concord-Alewife Planning Study
The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association selected the City's Concord-Alewife Plan as the winner of the 2006 Outstanding Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning.
Massachusetts Environmental Purchasing and Sustainability Award
The City of Cambridge was chosen as one of only three recipients to receive a 2006 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmental Purchasing and Sustainability Award, as a result of collective efforts in the areas of climate protection, energy management, green building construction, greening of our fleet, outreach to businesses to become climate leaders, and energy fairs for residents.
2005
Accessible America Award
The City of Cambridge received the Accessible America Award from the National Organization on Disability. One of the reasons NOD cited for granting this award to Cambridge was the Department's innovative Facade Improvement Program, which combines storefront makeovers with improved accessibility for people with disabilities .
Governor's Smart Growth Innovation Award
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department was one of eight Massachusetts communities honored with the 2005 Governor's Smart Growth Innovation Award, Honorable Mention, for the Concord-Alewife Planning Study. This award recognizes cities and towns that are leading the way in spurring important smart growth projects and their efforts as models for all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Go to the Concord Alewife Planning Study.
2004
Editor's Choice Award from Landscape Architecture Magazine
Subject: Franklin Street Park
The redesign and renovation of Franklin Park received an "Editor's Choice" award from the Landscape Architecture magazine, the national publication of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The magazine included a detailed write up in the July 2004 edition, with a series of park photos.
Read the first page of the Landscape Architecture article.
Go to Franklin Park.
Governor's Award for Smart Growth Leadership
The City of Cambridge received the Governor's Award for Smart Growth Leadership for its "Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Program" from the Massachusetts Office for Commonwealth Development.
2001
Patriot Chapter 2001 Award
The City of Cambridge received the Patriot Chapter 2001 Award from the Association for Commuter Transportation.
Massachusetts APA Outstanding Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning
Subject: Eastern Cambridge Planning Study
The Eastern Cambridge Planning Study was awarded the Comprehensive Planning Award for 2001 by the American Planning Association's Massachusetts Chapter. The award was given to the Cambridge Community Development Department, Eastern Cambridge Planning Study Committee, Cambridge Planning Board and Goody, Clancy & Associates.
Go to the Eastern Cambridge Planning Study.
2000
Pedestrian Project Award for Policies for the Traffic Calming Program: Pedestrians are the Focus
1980 to 2000
The City, working through the Community Development Department, received a number of awards for its initiatives to revitalize derelict industrial areas. In particular, the 1978 East Cambridge Riverfront Plan garnered national attention, including the 1981 Cambridge Urban Environmental Design Award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 1988 Award for Excellence in Urban Design from the American Institute of Architects, and the 1989 National Waterfront Center Award.
Several projects within the East Cambridge Riverfront area also received awards for excellence in implementation. Lechmere Canal Park was given the 1988 Merit Award from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the 1988 Award for Excellence from the Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund, Centanni Way received the 1989 Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Lechmere Canal Bridge was given the 1989 Award of Merit by the American Institute of Steel Construction.
Planning work in Central Square was recognized by the 1988 Award for Central Square Revitalization from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and by the 1996 Award for the Central Square Urban Design Plan from Walk Boston.
Other awards for open space improvements include the 1986 Governor’s Design Award: Red Line Linear Park from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the 1999 Citation for Horticultural Excellence for Quincy Square and the 2000 Urban Landscape Award for University Park Common, both from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
The City Hall Annex
In addition,the City Hall Annex, our office location has won several awards for its innovative incorporation of green technology in an historic renovation project:
- LEED Gold Rating, September 2005, U.S. Green Building Council
- AltWheels Green Pioneers Award - Highest Rated Municipal LEED Project in New England, September 2007
- Environmental Design and Construction Magazine, Excellence in Design Award, September 2005
- Build New England Award, Associated General Contractors 2005
- Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award 2005
- Massachusetts Municipal Association Innovation Award 2005
- Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award 2004
- Building Design & Construction Magazine Reconstruction and Renovation Award 2004
Learn more about the City Hall Annex.