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“Safedesign™ Approach receives American Planning Association Award of Excellence”
September 4, 2014
JACKSONVILLE FL - At their Annual Conference today, the American Planning Association Florida Chapter presented their Best Practice Award of Excellence to the “Clean and Safe Action Plan” created by Ken Stapleton and Associates for the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (RBCRA). Ken Stapleton and Tony Brown accepted the award on behalf of their respective organizations.
The award announcement highlighted the three major components of the Safedesign™ approach, including adjustments to the physical environment, various program elements, and strategic communications. It also recognized the importance of such efforts: “The plan is helping to accelerate reinvestment in Riviera Beach, and it has broad application wherever planners need to be intentional about safety – which should be everywhere.”
Award proposals were evaluated by an expert panel using a number of criteria: Innovation – Introduction of an original concept or a refinement of an existing technique or procedure; Transferability – Potential applicability in other areas of the state or to other planning projects; Quality – Excellence of analysis, writing, graphics and character of presentation; Implementation – Effectiveness of the work – i.e. proposals have been carried out or show promise of being carried out in the near future; and Comprehensiveness – Planning principles have been observed, especially in considering a project’s effects on other public objectives and the surrounding environment.
Stapleton expressed his appreciation to Riviera Beach leaders: “It takes political courage to use innovative approaches like Safedesign™. Too often we find that communities and developers have difficulty admitting they need innovative help with real and perceived safety. We sincerely appreciate the leadership and support from the CRA Board and staff.”
Stapleton also indicated that the Plan is being considered for additional awards in Florida and nationally. Given the comprehensive nature of the Safedesign™ approach, the Plan and related technical reports contain over 200 recommendations for action by the RBCRA and their partners.
By moving efforts beyond the traditional community policing patrols, street lights, and fortressing efforts, the Plan integrates safety solutions into almost every aspect of the RBCRA’s efforts and specifically address perceptions in creative new ways. Adjustments to events, design guidelines and approvals, communications materials and strategies, and ambassador and youth programs are just a few examples.
The Plan also identifies new metrics – beyond crime statistics – for measuring progress. “It represents a unique new tool for planners, developers, and community members to use as they work to ensure healthy and safe urban communities with a high quality of life,” said Stapleton. “It will help communities and professional designers move beyond what we call “sunny day planning” and consider safety throughout the process of designing, building, and managing great communities and highly profitable urban projects.”