The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has launched the London Planning Awards and is calling for planners, developers and architects to enter projects that display industry excellence and will positively impact the capital for decades to come.

The Awards will build on the success of the last five years, which has seen winners such as the Arsenal Emirates Stadium, the Lower Lea Valley Olympic and Legacy Masterplans and Kings Cross Central. The Awards are promoted by the Mayor of London, London First and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and are joined this year for the first time by London Councils.

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The 2008 Awards also see the introduction of two new categories - Best Project to Protect Communities and Best Built Project 5 years On - as well as some changes to existing categories to reflect the priorities of the new Mayor.

Mr Johnson said: "London is a living, breathing, expanding city, a cornucopia of design and planning excellence that deserves to be celebrated and admired.

"The London Planning Awards, as well as being a great way of exchanging industry best practice, inspire planners and developers to shape a world class London that builds on our heritage and prepares it for the future.

"Above all, I'm looking for award winning projects that will improve the quality of life for all Londoners, consider the environment and the damaging effects of climate change and work towards keeping London safe. All developments must remain appropriate to their context and setting and have enduring beauty that will remain into the next century for generations to come."

(CD/JM)