Each year, the Environmental Design Research Association recognizes professional and scholarly excellence in environmental design. Award-winning projects reflect an interdisciplinary approach that is enduring, human-centered, sustainable, and concerned with the experiential relationship between people and their environment (built and natural).

This year, the Great Places book award is being given to Community Matters: Service Learning in Engaged Design Planning, co-edited by Associate Professor Sigmund Shipp.

The award will be formally announced and presented at EDRA46LosAngeles, the 2015 EDRA conference held May 27-30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The winning entries will be on display throughout the conference and publicized throughout the year in various print and electronic publications.

Professor Shipp is the Director of the Urban Studies program. His research has involved a study of urban renewal, worker-owned cooperatives, and the Black church and college community development corporations.