Peter Rees wins College of Estate Management Property Award

Peter Wynne Rees, recently appointed Professor of Places and City Planning at The Bartlett School of Planning, has been awarded the prestigious 2014 Property Award.

Delva Patman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the College of Estate Management (CEM), presented Professor Rees with the award at Haberdasher’s Hall on 12th September. CEM, an educative institution for real estate and construction professionals, honoured Rees with the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the built environment. Previous recipients of the award include Robert Nabarro, Ian Cullen and HRH the Prince of Wales.

During his professional career, Rees has held a number of prominent posts. As an advisor for the Department of the Environment, Rees worked with architects and planners across the UK on the conservation and planning of historic towns. For six years, Rees led the London Borough of Lambeth’s conservation strategy and the regeneration of Brixton and Vauxhall as Assistant Chief Planning Officer of the Borough.

Rees then joined the City of London Corporation, where he became City Planning Officer. Architect Ken Shuttleworth, who created the Swiss Re (otherwise known as the Gherkin) with Rees, credits him with shaping London’s skyline. Under Rees’ management, 80% of the Square Mile, which now includes the Walkie Talkie, the Cheesegrater and Heron Tower, was rebuilt.

Rees held the post of City Planning Officer for 29 years before returning to The Bartlett, where he studied as an architecture student. Having shaped London’s built environment, Professor Rees now has the opportunity to share his experience with his former school and influence the next generation of planners.