ULI has selected Kevin Brass as the recipient of the 2017 ULI Apgar Urban Landaward, which recognizes industry articles of practical value published in Urban Landmagazine, the Institute’s flagship publication. Brass was honored at the 2017 ULI Spring Meeting in Seattle.
Brass was selected for three articles published in Urban Land in 2016: “Before It Runs Off,” which appeared in the May/June issue; “Drawing People In,” published in the January/February issue; and “Rerouting the Trinity River,” published in the September/October issue.
“Before It Runs Off” focuses on innovative techniques being used to capture and retain rainwater and graywater, and create a community amenity in the process. “Drawing People In” looks at how to gain community support for higher-density development through an inclusive process to ensure that community residents are fully informed, and by emphasizing thoughtful design and creative placemaking. “Rerouting the Trinity River” describes Fort Worth’s bold plans to redirect the river that runs through the Texas city to increase the amount of land in the city’s downtown, connect people with the waterfront, and improve flood control. In each case, the award jury cited timeliness, relevance, and writing quality as factors that made Brass’s articles stand out.
The ULI Apgar Urban Land Award, which is based on articles published during the previous calendar year, recognizes the authors of Urban Land articles that best advance the Institute’s mission and areas of focus. Presented annually from 1991 to 2006, the award was reintroduced in 2012 with the intent of encouraging entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals to communicate their ideas, knowledge, research, and experience for the benefit of the entire real estate community.
The award was created by longtime ULI member and current ULI Governor Mahlon “Sandy” Apgar to highlight and recognize the quality of writing in Urban Land magazine. A $500 honorarium is presented to the winner. In addition to the advancement of the Institute’s mission, other award criteria include relevance to current land use and development issues; strength of the author’s analyses; perceptiveness of the author’s reasoning; and clarity of presentation.
In addition to his work for Urban Land, Brass writes regularly about building, design, and business for the New York Times, Financial Times, and Wall Street Journal. In recent years, he has been primarily based overseas, including stints in Barcelona and Abu Dhabi, where he covered Middle East development as a business reporter for the U.A.E.-based the National. He also served as public affairs manager for the nonprofit Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, an international association for designers and builders of skyscrapers.
Brass received the Apgar Award during ULI’s Spring Meeting in Seattle this week. “Kevin’s work exemplifies what makes Urban Land a ‘must-read’ publication for our members,” said ULI Global Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips, who announced the award winner to meeting attendees. “He adeptly tackled three different but equally complex issues of high interest to real estate professionals—managing stormwater, selling density, and re-creating a city’s waterfront. We congratulate him on a job well done.”
Kevin Brass (center) accepts the 2017 ULI Apgar Urban Land award at the Spring Meeting in Seattle, along with Anne and Sandy Apgar, a ULI Foundation Governor and the award’s sponsor.
