ALDEN AUST HONORED WITH 2008 LAURELS AWARD
January 26, 2009
Jan. 26, 2009
ALDEN AUST HONORED WITH 2008 LAURELS AWARD
OMAHA – Alden Aust, the father of the planning profession in Omaha, is the 2008 recipient of Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award. The award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, is presented to an individual, organization or business that has made significant contributions to the creation of great public spaces in the metro.
Steve Jensen, the city’s current planning director and 2007 Laurels recipient, presented Aust with the award Jan. 26 at Omaha by Design’s annual awards luncheon.
Aust, Omaha’s first planning director, was recognized for the lasting impact of his visionary career on the city’s public spaces. He began his 24-year tenure with the city in 1956, building and staffing a fledgling planning department that – under his tutelage – developed into an influential advocate for community quality and investment. Last April, Aust was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). The honor, one of the highest bestowed by the AICP, recognizes the achievements of the inductee as an individual, elevating the Fellow before the public and the profession as a model planner who has made significant contributions to planning and society.
“Even though most Omahans today would not realize it, the City of Omaha would not be the city it is today without Mr. Aust’s extraordinary vision and leadership,” Jenson said.
The awards luncheon also recognized the 2008 recipients of Omaha by Design’s trio of awards – the Green Leaf, Civic Leaf and Neighborhood Leaf.
The Green Leaf – which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s natural setting and public park system – was awarded to The Gallup Organization for the creation of a 20-acre native meadow on the front lawn of its riverfront campus.
The Civic Leaf – which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to define and improve the metropolitan area’s civic places and public image – was awarded to Metropolitan Community College (MCC), Omaha Public Library and Metro Area Transit for the development of MCC’s South Omaha Campus Connector.
The Neighborhood Leaf – which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods – was awarded to Community Bicycle Shop Omaha, whose mission is to provide a positive environment for learning the basics of bicycle mechanics, to repair and distribute pre-owned bicycles, to build community, and to promote safe cycling and riding.
For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.