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It’s time once more to dig out that bus pass and pay a visit to that town over the hill you always pass by and never through, yes the Carbuncle Awards 2009 are here.
These awards seek to recognise the very worst in town planning, from dismal decay, poor planning and economic errors.
The Carbuncles enjoy a not so illustrious pedigree benefiting from a wealth of drab contenders. Our list is compiled by our editorial board and you the public from across the country.
This year old favourites Cumbernauld and Coatbridge will be breathing a collective sigh of relief as it has been decided that no prior winner of the award will be eligible for nomination. This is not necessarily an indication of substantial improvement but reflective of a desire to broaden the debate to further flung communities rather piling on the misery for hapless residents.
The Plook award always prove controversial as local politicians strive to defend their turf from outside criticism and accusions of “snobbery” are leveled at the protagonists. But such places for good or ill define many of our communities and their story must be told if there is to be any hope of addressing endemic ills.
Make your nominations here.
The Carbuncles competition was established in 2000 to provoke debate about the poor quality of development in many of Scotland’s towns and cities. Over the past seven years it has become as much a part of Scotland’s public debate as the Holyrood parliament.
The Plook on the Plinth Award for the Most Dismal Town in Scotland is the most coveted of the awards. The first award for ‘Most Dismal Town’ went to Airdrie in North Lanarkshire. The following year the award was given to Cumbernauld one of Scotland’s New Towns. Then the competition took a break, then again in 2005 Cumbernauld came top of the poll. Due to popular demand we are opening nominations for the next award. And the question on everybody’s lips is - Will the country’s best loved, and hated, New Town get a hat-trick?
The website includes an archive of former contenders for the award. Click here if you want to read past nominations.
The Carbuncle Awards in the Media:
The Results
Behind The Carbuncle Awards
Carbuncles Candidates - see the judging in action
For more on Scottish Architecture visit www.architecturescotland.co.uk
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