For the first time, The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is seeking to reward the most environmentally, socially and economically sustainable shopping center in its 2007 European Shopping Centre Awards the most prestigious European awards in the commercial real estate industry.
According to Stephen Pragnell, Chair of the ICSC European Shopping Centre Awards, who is a passionate advocate of sustainable development: "We have named the new award ReSource and it will only be given when the ICSC Shopping Centre Awards Jury are agreed that a project, developer, architect, manager or retailer has proved a commitment to long-term sustainable development."
This new award follows the ReStore award, launched by ICSC in 2004 which rewards both developer and local authority for a successful partnership that delivers a sustainable result for the local and regional community.
Pragnell adds: "With an enlarged Europe and new markets opening, perceptions and concepts are changing fast, making the world of Shopping Centres more and more exciting. But along with excitement and creativity comes responsibility to the environment and the communities that shopping centers serve. Both the Restore and the new ReSource awards reflect ICSC's leadership in rewarding and promoting best practice environmental sustainability."
Entries for the 2007 ICSC European Shopping Centre awards are, for the first time, online at www.icsc.org/euroawards, making entry simpler and easier. Closing date for entries in 20th September 2006, and the finalists will be announced in Cannes at Mapic on 16th November. Winners will be announced at the ICSC Annual European Conference at the Warsaw Hilton on 25-27 April 2007.
Last year the ICSC European Shopping Centre Awards attracted more entries than ever before. 30 shopping centers from 16 countries entered with centers from ten countries: France, Sweden, UK, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Italy, Denmark and Germany receiving recognition in 2006.
Pragnell added: "We are looking forward to even more entries this year representing the continuing dynamic of modern retail across Europe."
All shopping centers entered must be either new or refurbished and, if new, must have opened to the shopping public or, if refurbished or extended, been completed in the period 1 July 2004 30 June 2006.
The ICSC European Shopping Centre Award are open to both member and non-members of the International Council of Shopping Centres.
Source: ICSC
