Edmund N. Bacon Prize & Lecture
The annual Edmund N. Bacon Prize & Lecture honors one outstanding national figure who has advocated for excellence in urban development, planning, thought, and design through conviction of vision, effective communication, and a commitment to improving their community.
The Ed Bacon Committee at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the vision and legacy of Philadelphia's renowned city planner, Edmund N. Bacon. The Committee supports organizations and individuals that embody the spirit of Bacon's life, work, and dedication to Philadelphia, with the goal of advancing Philadelphia's quality of life and international stature.
Past recipients include:
2014 - Ed Rendell
2013 - John Hickenlooper
2012 - Janette Sadik-Khan
2010 - Denise Scott Brown
2009 - Maurice Cox
2008 - John O. Norquist
2007 - Paul Goldberger
2006 - Robert A.M. Stern
This lecture coincides with the awards ceremony for the annual Ed Bacon Student Design Competition which challenges university level students to design creative solutions for a site in Philadelphia that has historic significance and presents modern-day design challenges, the solutions to which are broadly applicable to cities across the country.
Click here to learn more about the Ed Bacon Student Design Competition.
About Ed Bacon
Director of Philadelphia's City Planning Commission from 1949-1970, Ed Bacon is the only city planner ever to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. His vision for the future of Philadelphia has strongly influenced the current form of Center City including the preservation of colonial Old City, the creation of our modern business district, Penn Center, and the development of Philadelphia's most popular tourist destination, Independence Mall. Bacon's strong vision for Philadelphia was backed by an even stronger will, which led to much backlash from those who disagreed with his vision, but simultaneously allowed him to navigate and operate the levers of power to accomplish his goals. For more information on Ed Bacon and his legacy, please explore the links below...
- Remembrance:
- Historic Marker
- Obituaries
