2025 Irish Planning Awards aim to recognise innovation, sustainability and excellence in planning Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Seán O'Leary The Irish Planning Institute, the all-island professional membership organisation for spatial planners, is pleased to announce that the 2025 Irish Planning Awards are now open for entries. The biennial Irish Planning Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the planning profession, including projects and plans at a local, county, regional and national level. The awards aim to promote excellence in the field of planning, encourage sustainable development, foster positive engagement between communities and projects, support economic development through thoughtful planning and honour projects that conserve historical buildings or create cultural venues. Most importantly, the Irish Planning Awards are designed to inspire innovation throughout the planning sector. The 2025 Irish Planning Awards, which are supported by FuturEnergy Ireland, Uisce Éireann and Wave Dynamics Acoustic Consultants, will recognise planning excellence across 12 diverse categories, including: Plan Making Commercial Projects Urban Regeneration Heritage and Culture Climate Action Biodiversity Housing or Community Infrastructure Research and Innovation Diversity and Inclusion Planning Consultancy and In-House Planning Teams Planning Authorities An overall President’s Award will be awarded to the standout winner across all 12 categories. The awards are open to members of the professional planning industry for any project undertaken since January 2023 or completed within the last five years. Gavin Lawlor, President of the Irish Planning Institute, said: “I’m delighted to announce that the 2025 Irish Planning Awards are now open to entries. Similar to previous years, we look forward to receiving a broad range of submissions and entries, which demonstrate excellence in the planning profession.” “Thoughtful, innovative and sustainable planning is crucial for the economic development of our communities, regions and country. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Irish Planning Institute, and by recognising the very best work of our industry through these awards, the institute hopes to inspire another generation of talented planners into our sector that will design and shape our society for the next 50 years.” The closing date for submissions to the 2025 Irish Planning Awards is 5pm on Friday, 30 May. A panel of expert judges will shortlist entries this Summer, before the 2025 awards night takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at a black-tie gala dinner and ceremony in Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin. Further details of the 2025 Irish Planning Awards, and the individual categories, can be found here. About the Irish Planning Institute Founded in 1975, the Irish Planning Institute is the all-island professional body representing professional planners engaged in physical, spatial and environmental planning in Ireland and Irish planners practicing overseas. The Irish Planning Institute, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, represents over 1,000 planners across the public and private sector, including planners working in Local Authorities, Academia, An Bord Pleanála, Central Government, Regional Assemblies, Private Practice Consultancies, Property Developers and Semi-State organisations.