Randy Hester Award in Ecological Democracy
The Hester Award recognizes an MLA or Ph.D. student of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning whose work best exemplifies Professor Randy Hester’s lifelong commitment to community participation, sustainability, justice, and beauty. Studio work, professional work, and advocacy work (if graphical in nature) are all acceptable and encouraged, as well as proposed projects. Please keep in mind that it is important to articulate how the award will help advance the project, or provide some tangible product. Possible proposals in this regard would be to travel to a project site, produce a publication, hold an event, or similar.
April 21, 2025
$3,000
Open to MLA or Ph.D. students enrolled in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at CED. Group submissions are acceptable.
Please submit an electronic copy of application materials to this Google Form by Monday April 21, 2025.
- Up to 3 projects reflects Professor Randy Hester’s commitment to ecological democracy. Physical submissions should not be greater than 24″ by 36″ in size, if possible.
- A short written description should accompany the graphical materials describing how the work fulfills the goals of the Hester Award.
- The extent to which the work exemplifies, or expands upon, the theory and practice of ecological democracy;
- Its potential to be repeated or “scaled up” to other physical and social contexts; and
- The clarity of graphical and written presentation, including the extent to which the work can be understood independent of any verbal presentation.
The Hester Award Jury (Bill Eisenstein, Randy Hester, Marcia McNally, and Walter Hood) will evaluate candidates based on the following criteria:
An application detailing design or planning work that they have undertaken, or plan to undertake, that advances the principles and practice of ecological democracy.
Work samples that are presented graphically, and an accompanying description that explains how the work fulfills the goals of the Hester Award. This work may arise from an academic context, professional practice or advocacy efforts.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The extent to which the work exemplifies, or expands upon, the theory and practice of ecological democracy;
- Its potential to be repeated or “scaled up” to other physical and social contexts; and
- The clarity of graphical and written presentation, including the extent to which the work can be understood independent of any verbal presentation.
Randy Hester is one of America’s most respected landscape architects and community planners. As professor of landscape architecture and environmental planning at UC Berkeley and as principal in the firm Community Development by Design, he has pioneered the theory and practice of “ecological democracy” with his wife and partner Marcia McNally.
“Ecological democracy” involves the participatory making of places that, in Randy’s words, enable community-building, are resilient to ecological and economic forces of change, and impel people to want to live in them by fostering joy and beauty, and touching their hearts. Ecological democracy’s greatest themes are participation, connection, sacredness, and engagement with nature. These involve strengthening bonds between people and their community, providing regular access to nature inside the city, and honoring our deepest attachments to the places we inhabit. A participatory approach to place‐making is also indispensable.