Master of Community Planning students win award

Master of Community Planning, or MCP, students Benjamin McGarr, Mark Aniadaga and Charles Jones received the 2022 Distinguished Leadership Award for a Planning Student Team from the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association for their project entitled “Renewing the Heart of Phenix City.” The team was presented with their award at the recent Alabama and Mississippi Joint Chapter Conference of the American Planning Association and the Alabama Association of Regional Councils conference organized concurrently at Orange Beach, AL.

The team was nominated by Dr. Binita Mahato for completing this project in her CPLN 7200: Urban Design Studio in Spring 2022. Students in this studio developed three Urban Design Plans – A City of New Beginnings, Renewing the Heart of Phenix City, and Paving the Way for a Vibrant and Active Future focusing on the redevelopment of Downtown Phenix City. In the same semester, Dr. Sweta Byahut’s CPLN 5060/6060 Sustainable Transportation Planning class focused on the redevelopment of the 13th street corridor that connects to Columbus, GA. Students proposed plans for roundabout design, multi-modal connections, pedestrian and bike safety, parking enhancements, and recreational trail enhancements. These projects were taken in collaboration with Phenix City, AL. Students in both classes presented their projects to the Phenix City Council the Mayor and key officials. Congratulations to the students on their excellent work.

The Alabama City Year Program showcases community outreach projects undertaken by MCP students and faculty.