2020 Orange Section Awards Winners
The Orange Section’s annual awards program celebrates great planning work throughout Orange County. The program honors innovative plans and projects, distinguished individuals and other contributions to the planning profession. This year, the Orange Section honors six nominees with Awards of Excellence and five nominees with Awards of Merit. Representing a wide range of planning pursuits, our 2020 award winners embody excellence in long-range planning, urban design, public engagement, transportation planning, academic achievement, and inclusivity. The Orange Section congratulates this year’s section award winners and thanks all of our nominees for sharing their inspiring work. We wish our winners the best of luck as they contend for state-level awards.
Current circumstances prevent us from scheduling an awards ceremony at this time, but the Orange Section continues to look for opportunities to host an awards event later this year. Until then, enjoy this short video introducing our 2020 award winners.
Awards of Excellence
Academic
Tustin Rail Station Active Transportation Plan
Ines Galmiche, UC Irvine MURP
Comprehensive Plan
Local Hazard Mitigation PlanCity of Rancho Santa Margarita, DeNovo Planning Group, Michael Baker International
Hard-Won Victories
The SR-241-SR-91 Tolled Express Lanes Connector Project
Transportation Corridor Agencies, California Department of Transportation
Opportunity and Empowerment
Health, Wellness, and Environmental Justice Element of the Placentia General Plan
City of Placentia, High Peaks Planning
Transportation Planning
Garden Grove Active Downtown Plan
City of Garden Grove, KOA Corporation
Urban Design
SteelCraft Garden Grove
City of Garden Grove, Howard CDM, SteelCraft, Studio One Eleven
Awards of Merit
Academic
Water Conservation and Recycled Water Nexus
Shin-Young John Yu, UC Irvine MURP
Comprehensive Plan
Rich Heritage, Bright Future: The Placentia General Plan
City of Placentia, High Peaks Planning
Economic Development
Huntington Beach Research and Technology Zone
City of Huntington Beach, RRM Design Group, The Natelson Dale Group
Planning Firm
SWA Group
Transportation Planning
OC Active: Orange County’s Bike + Ped Plan
OCTA, IBI, KTUA, Placeworks, Arellano Associates
Awards Jury
Julie Beeman, VCS Environmental Services
David Blumenthal, Sagecrest Planning+Environmental
Julia Malisos, WHA | William Hezmalhalch Architects
John Rau, Ultra-Research, Inc.
Michelle Thrakulchavee, City Ventures
About the APA Orange Section Planning Awards
The APA Orange Section hosts an annual awards program to recognize and celebrate great planning work throughout Orange County. The program honors innovative plans and projects, distinguished individuals and other contributions to the planning profession. The awards program depends on the active participation of our members. If you’ve been involved with or are aware of a recent noteworthy planning project or activity, please consider submitting a nomination. The awards program nominations are voted on by a panel of experienced judges who are dedicated to highlighting the projects, plans, and people that demonstrate the power of great planning. Award recipients are recognized at the annual Awards Program, typically held in May. The evening highlights the award winners and celebrates the wonderful work being done in Orange County to create more livable, vibrant, and inclusive communities.
Awards Archive
2019 Awards
2018 Awards
2016 Awards
2016 Slideshow
2015 Awards
2014 Awards
2013 Slideshow
2012 Slideshow
CA Chapter Award Site