Parkridge’s Dickens Heath Village Centre development in Solihull, West Midlands, has been selected as one of the finalists in the 2009 Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
This superb achievement is particularly outstanding considering that Dickens Heath Village Centre has been chosen from a broad mix of exemplary projects from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The eleven finalists for the European award include schemes from Turkey, Egypt, France, Austria, Denmark and the UK, with up to five winners set be named by the jury of international members for this annual award.
ULI Awards for Excellence defines the standard for real estate development practice worldwide. The award criteria includes leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, environmental protection and enhancement, public/private partnership and response to societal needs. The mission of the ULI is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. In their 31st year, the awards programme is the centrepiece of ULI’s efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of real estate development, recognising the full development process of a project including construction, economic viability, marketing, management, as well as design. Dickens Heath Village Centre has been accredited by the ULI as a great example of success showcasing creativity, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Dickens Heath Village Centre is a multi award winning mixed use development incorporating three phases, Market Square, Waterside and Garden Squares and will provide a seamless, unique and contemporary development. The Village Centre offers not just a place to live but ‘the complete lifestyle’, with a range of independent shops, exclusive restaurants and key community amenities including a library, village hall, medical centre, village green, nature reserve and children’s play area.
Announcement of the winners will be made in June, followed by a glittering awards ceremony to be held in Vienna.