A historic London neighbourhood has been named one of the 2016 Great Places in Canada.
The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) announced on Tuesday that Woodfield, the area bordered by Richmond St., Dundas St., Adelaide St., and the CPR tracks to the north, is the winner of the great neighbourhood award.
Canadians were invited by CIP to nominate places in their community for the Great Places in Canada contest in August. A panel reviewed 37 submissions based on planning best practices that considered social, economic, and accessibility and safety factors, and elements such as design, culture history and landscape.
"A great place is one where citizens can enjoy a healthy and inspiring environment," said Eleanor Mohammed of the Canadian Institute of Planners. "All of the 2016 Great Places in Canada winners are demonstrative of what planners try to create: a space that is functional, safe, and enjoyable for the community.”
Woodfield is a heritage district with 1,400 households, most of which were built between the late 1800s and early 1900s. It beat out the Kitsilano neighbourhood in Vancouver, Quartier Petit Champlain in Quebec City, and East Village in Calgary.
St. Patrick’s Island in Calgary was awarded the Great Public Space award and Water St. in St. Andrews, New Brunswick was named the greatest street.
This is the fourth year the CIP has run the national contest.
