Nominations Open for Fifth Annual Urban Design Awards

Published on August 27, 2025

The word Urbies in colorful letters on a black background.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 27, 2025) – Nominations are now open for the fifth annual Urban Design Awards, also known as the Urbies. Hosted by the City of Charlotte’s Urban Design Center in partnership with UNC Charlotte, this milestone year celebrates five years of honoring excellence in urban design and highlighting the people and places that help shape Charlotte into a vibrant, welcoming city.

Starting today, Charlotte residents are invited to submit nominations for the Urbies’ People’s Choice Award, which prioritizes the community’s voice, inviting residents to help decide this year’s choice for great urban design. Students from local universities are also encouraged to submit nominations that show an advanced understanding of urban design and placemaking fundamentals for the Great Student Project category.

For the other categories, listed below, a jury of 10 urban design experts will choose the best projects.

2025 Categories:

  • Great New Development Near Transit
  • Great Walkable Neighborhood
  • Great New Life for an Old Place
  • Great Public Space
  • Great Placemaking
  • Great Mobility Project
  • Great Urban Architecture
  • Great Urban Design Champion
  • Great Neighborhood Champion
  • Great Suburban Design

Honorees will be recognized during the Urban Design Awards ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23.

To submit a nomination and learn more about the Urban Design Awards, visit the People Make Cities blog. Nominations are open now through Friday, Sept. 12.

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