Schenley Plaza won the Silver Award in the Environmentally Sustainable Project category at the 2009 International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom Awards) held October 8-12 in the Czech Republic city of Pilsen. Meg Cheever, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy presented the project to a panel of judges and an audience representing 15 countries.
Meg Cheever is congratulated by Alan Smith, Chief Executive of the LivCom Awards.
The purpose of the LivCom Awards is to encourage best practices, innovation, and leadership in sustainable development. The LivCom Awards is the world’s only competition for local communities that focuses on environmental management and the creation of livable communities.
Judging criteria included enhancement of the landscape, heritage management, environmentally sensitive practices, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and planning for the future. The Pittsburgh project competed with projects from Australia, Austria, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, England, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine.
“It has been wonderful to see Schenley Plaza grow and develop over the past four years, and we are thrilled that it has received international recognition,” Cheever says. “As first-time competitors in the LivCom event, we are proud to be able to bring home the Silver Award to Pittsburgh. Schenley Plaza’s conversion from parking lot to vital, green gathering place has improved the quality of life in Oakland. We are gratified to see our efforts validated by an international panel of judges at this year’s LivCom competition.”
The $12 million Plaza was the product of a community-wide effort. It was completed in 2006 and expects its millionth visitor in 2010.
Click the viewer below to see the presentation that was given at the awards ceremony.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Blog 