Greater Cambridge Shared Planning wins the ‘Inspire Future Generations’ National Award
Greater Cambridge Shared Planning’s (GCSP) Principal Urban Designer Bonnie Kwok won the ‘Individual of the Year’ award in the Inspire Future Generations National Awards.
The Inspire Future Generations Awards, organised by the Thornton Education Trust (TET), are the first awards for built environment professionals in the UK and internationally.
Bonnie Kwok has been leading youth engagement services, including running design workshops for children and young people to ensure they have genuine input in development proposals.
Bonnie also runs work experience programmes for Year 10 students to give them real-life work experience in planning.
In her spare time, Bonnie volunteers at Hackney Chinese School. She engages children and young people from all backgrounds, building confidence and improving their social and academic skills through the Chinese language and culture.
Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service was also shortlisted for the Social Value and School Collaboration Awards.
Judge and TET Trustee Neil Pinder said:
"Submissions this year showed how children and young people are increasingly being given agency in their own built environment. Project outputs and outcomes have been of a very high standard, and the awards highlight this vital work taking place.”
Stephen Kelly, Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development with overall responsibility for the operation of the Shared Planning service, said,
“It is wonderful to see Bonnie independently recognised for her outstanding work with children and young people in schools across Greater Cambridge.
Bonnie works tirelessly to ensure every student receives a memorable engagement experience, inviting Councillors, Architects, Developers and Urban Planners to deliver inspiring workshops and assemblies.
At Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, we are committed to improving our environment, the planet, the quality of life, and opportunity for all of our communities. Young people are our future, and Bonnie’s award reflects how, as an organisation, we are committed to inspiring the next generation.”