Why Should You Apply?

The Urban Land Institute has a strong national reputation for its awards in support of transformative land use developments, best real estate practices, and creative visioning. In 2015, ULI Dallas-Fort Worth’s members launched the Inaugural Annual Impact Awards to spotlight visionary developers and outstanding developments in our region. From the beginning, the Impact Awards criteria went beyond just good design, and included attention to leadership, contribution to the community, innovation, environmental sensitivity, and financial viability. Over the years the awards have grown and changed, now offering five competitive award categories as described below. Winning developments from each category are awarded on stage, during the Gala, in front of an average audience of 500+ comprised of DFW’s biggest and brightest CRE professionals.

• Innovation: Recognizes originality and creativity in design, placemaking, support for transit use, green techniques, financing (including public/private partnerships), innovative land use or community planning, or other development features.
• Influence: Seeks a project, policy or program that creates a positive impact beyond its immediate borders or catalyzes the development of the surrounding community, resulting in a lasting positive effect on the built environment.
• Public Place:  Highlights a public sector, non-profit, public/private partnership or privately funded project providing the public enhanced civic, open or public space access or experiences.
• Social Impact: Spotlighting real estate projects that focus on making positive social impact on communities and/or individuals, these developments are recognized for providing social services such as housing, health care, education and/or income growth opportunities that otherwise might not be available.
• Next Big Idea:  Submissions do not have to be completed projects! We seek innovative ideas that can positively impact the region’s quality of life, such as improving the quality of the built environment, the way in which planning and development are conducted, construction affordability, financing or other aspects of development.  What would make our region more resilient? More enjoyable?

Applications Guidelines

A)  Submissions may be made by the owner, developer, architect, engineer or other professionals, but (a) each project may only be submitted once and (b) any joint submissions must designate a single contact person.  You do not need to be a ULI member in order to submit an application and compete.

B)  Projects that have been submitted in the past, but did not receive the Impact Awards in their category, may be resubmitted for the current year. Application fees must be paid for any re-submissions.

For your convenience, PDF Examples of the applications are below. Although the 7th Annual Impact Awards Submission window is closed, please keep an eye on this page for next year’s application window.