Rolling out the red carpet for architecture Oscars

Writer and architect George Clarke will host the 2012 Civic Trust Awards which are taking place at The Hub on Friday (2 March).

Supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, the event recognises the very best in architecture, urban design, planning, landscape, public realm and public art.

Two Edinburgh projects - The National Museum of Scotland and The Scotsman Steps - are among the 52 shortlisted entries for this year's event which attracted over 300 nominations from across the world.

There is also a Special Award for Scotland category which will recognise the country's best entry.

Councillor Stuart Roy McIvor, vice-convenor of the City of Edinburgh Council's Planning Committee, will be opening the event on Friday.

He said: "It's a great honour for Edinburgh to be hosting this year's Civic Trust Awards ceremony which recognise the very best the world of architecture and design has to offer.

"Once again there are some extremely high quality entries in this year's awards which have all made a positive impact on their local communities and on the environment."

Malcolm Hankey, Managing Director of Civic Trust Awards, said: "We are delighted to bring the 2012 Civic Trust Awards Ceremony to Edinburgh and would like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their support. The event will attract hundreds of leading architects and built environment professionals to the historic city for what is sure to be a wonderful evening of celebration."

Additional information:

All schemes featuring on the shortlist of winners receive an award, commendation or community recognition at the 2012 Awards Ceremony. The 52 shortlisted entries this year also include projects from countries such as Haiti, Canada and Russia.

At the Awards Ceremony the inaugural winner of the Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design, will be announced. This is presented to an exemplar project in memorial to the founding figure of universal and inclusive design. This awards scheme is being delivered in partnership with the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE).

The Civic Trust Awards is an architectural & built environment awards scheme which was established in 1959 and recognises the very best in architecture, urban design, planning, landscape, public realm and public art.

Successful projects make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment and must be universally inclusive for all users, whilst offering a positive social, cultural, environmental or economic benefit to the local community.

For more information about the 2012 Civic Trust Awards please contact Malcolm Hankey on 01925 273170 or Noel Miller at the City of Edinburgh Council on 0131 529 4440.