Every year, since 1982, The American Institute of Architects, California Council has celebrated outstanding architecture through the AIACC Design Awards program. Beginning in 2007, the AIACC began including urban design projects in the Awards program. .

The purpose of the AIACC Awards for Urban Design is to recognize distinguished achievements that involve the expanding role of the architect in urban design, city planning, and community development. The awards seek to identify projects and programs that involve public participation and contribute to the quality of the urban environment. These include urban design projects, planning programs, civic improvements, environmental programs, and redevelopment projects.

This year, the AIACC recognizes and celebrates excellence in urban design, announcing the recipients of the annual Urban Design Awards competition. The AIACC�s esteemed Urban Design Awards jury was comprised of: Alan Clarke, FASLA; Frank Fuller, FAIA; Frank Hotchkiss, AIA, AICP; April Philips, RLA, ASLA, BFQL; and Glen Schmidt, FASLA;

Three Honor Awards were given for Urban Design:

Sproul Student Community Center (University of California, Berkeley)
Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

The iQuilt Plan for Downtown Hartford (Hartford, CT)
Suisman Urban Design; Smith Edwards Architects

The Arc�A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State
Suisman Urban Design

And three Merit Awards for Urban Design went to:

2009 Long Range Development Plan (University of California, Merced)
UC Merced Physical Planning, Design and Construction; RACESTUDIO

Parkmerced Vision Plan (San Francisco)
Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP

Tianjin Financial City Vision Plan (Tianjin, China)
Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP