By Tom McClimon
March 19, 2012

“Design Matters, Cities Matter” was the mantra of Conference of Mayors Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter in receiving the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Award for Leadership in Urban Design. Co'sponsored by The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and The United States Conference of Mayors, the award was presented to Nutter at the 23rd Annual Accent on Architecture Gala on March 9 in Washington (DC).

Presenting the award to Nutter were past Conference of Mayors President Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., (for whom the award is named), Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran, and AAF President and CEO Ron Bogle. The Riley Award was first presented to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Nutter is the second recipient of the award. A video highlighting Nutter’s accomplishments was produced and is available for viewing at the Conference of Mayors’ website: usmayors.org.

In selecting Nutter for the award, AAF and the Conference of Mayors emphasized the design leadership that the mayor has demonstrated in transforming Philadelphia into a city focused on smart design and sustainability. Highlights of the mayor’s accomplishments include the newly adopted Philadelphia 2035 Comprehensive Plan, GreenWorks Philadelphia, the Delaware River Waterfront project, and the transformation of North Broad Street.

Approximately 400 guests attended the black-tie gala. In addition to Nutter, other honorees included the U.S. Green Building Council, the architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and the office work space design firm, Haworth.