Every year, the BNSP expresses its special appreciation for an individual, an agency and an organisation for their exceptional contribution to the development and positioning of urban development and planning. The nominees share a vision of the field that transcends their own practice. They profile themselves in the public debate and inspire their peers. ‘The award does not primarily focus on a plan, but on the people who promote the profession and give it a voice,’ says BNSP chairman Eric van der Kooij.

The three nominees are Peter Pelzer, Anne van Kuijk and Marco te Brömmelstroet. All three contribute in their own unique way to changing thinking about urban planning. They combine drive and imagination to connect different disciplines. In addition, the BNSP nominates urban planning agencies Urhahn, De Zwarte Hond and PosadMaxwan for the way in which they advance the profession as a whole and distinguish themselves on a relevant and urgent theme within urban planning.

Finally, the nominated organisations. In this first year, three municipalities have been selected, each of which demonstrates ambitious and well-considered spatial visions, policy frameworks, and leadership and decisiveness in the implementation of their spatial quality policy in their own way. From administrators to civil servants, the municipalities of Tilburg, Groningen and Zwolle are thoroughly convinced of the contribution that planning and urban design can make to the development of the city and the use of design power.