School of Architecture graduate, Simeon Shtebunaev, awarded Young Planner of the Year by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Congratulations to graduate Simeon Shtebunaev: awarded Young Planner of the Year at Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence in 2022.

Simeon Shtebunaev collects his award as Young Planner of the Year

Simeon Shtebunaev studied the BA Architecture here at Sheffield School of Architecture. His MArch Architecture with Town and Regional Planning was delivered jointly by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and Sheffield School of Architecture and awarded Simeon with dual accreditation in Architecture and Town Planning. 

Simeon Shtebunaev was awarded Young Planner of the Year at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2022 last month. He received his award in a ceremony at The Mermaid in central London.

Simeon is an ambassador for town planning across the cultural and architecture sectors, promoting the value of planning on regional, national, and international level. Judges noted that he has outstanding enthusiasm and passion for the planning profession and in a short career to date has sought to make effective change through research and their professional involvement.

Judges’ comments

RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2022

Simeon Shtebunaev collects his award as Young Planner of the Year

Simeon is currently a doctoral researcher and lecturer at Birmingham City University. His research centres on youth-friendly planning, especially around planning of future cities where young people’s contribution may be marginalised. He has worked on Climania, a Climate Action Board Game developed with the help of thirteen young people in Birmingham. 

All of his work and research reflects his passion for the future of cities, he helped launch the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Future Architects initiative and the National Schools Programme. Recognising his advocacy for young people, RIBA named him a Rising Star in 2021. Simeon was also part of the grassroots movement that resulted in Muyiwa Oki, a fellow Sheffield School of Architecture graduate, being elected as a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) president. The first “architectural worker” to hold the post, and the youngest to hold the post. 

We are delighted that Simeon has been given this award by the RTPI. As a student Simeon showed real passion and aptitude for participatory practice, and he played a key role in our Live Projects at both Undergraduate and Masters level. Since graduation he has developed this expertise to become a strong advocate for the inclusion of under-represented voices in planning and architecture. It’s fantastic to see his work recognised in this way. Congratulations Simeon!

Carolyn Butterworth

Director of Live Works

Congratulations Simeon on this well-deserved recognition of your work!

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

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