Heather Claridge MSc in Urban Design, winner of the 2018 UK Young Planner of the Year at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are one of the longest running and most prestigious awards in urban planning.
Heather joined Strathclyde’s Urban Design course in September 2015, participating in her studies whilst continuing to work for Glasgow City Council’s Development & Regeneration Services. Heather said:
I have gained a rich understanding about how and by what means cities should be designed to cope with the challenges and opportunities of the future. In the judges’ assessment interview, I drew on this knowledge and the confidence I have developed through the course, to successfully respond to their questions.
The Judges commended Heather saying:
Heather’s passion for planning and design is reflected in the outstanding calibre of her work, studies and volunteering. Her creative use of planning to improve her community is matched by her drive to get things done. She is a fantastic ambassador for the profession across the UK.
Heather graduated with distinction from the course in June 2018. She hopes to continue working with the Urban Design Studies Unit through maintaining the collaboration with Glasgow City Council on the Urban Design Studio project and through also expanding some of her MSc thesis research which considers the role of temporary urbanism in building long-term urban resilience.