Four of the 12 finalists for the 2013 ICSC European Awards are shopping centres in Turkey, the body representing the European shopping centre industry announced on 15 November. Other countries represented in the shortlist are France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland and Austria.

Four of the 12 finalists for the 2013 ICSC European Awards are shopping centres in Turkey, the body representing the European shopping centre industry announced on 15 November. Other countries represented in the shortlist are France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland and Austria.

The four Turkish centres are Bulvar Yasam ve Alisveris Merkezi in Samsun (in the category medium-sized new developments), developed by TTA Gayrimenkul Yatirim Gelistirme; Akbati Shopping Mall in Turkey (new large developments), developed by Akis Real Estate Investment Trust; Izmir Optimum Outlet & Entertainment Centre in Izmir (speciality retail), developed by Renaissance Development; and Gordion Shopping Center in Ankara (established centres), developed by Redevco.

Jan Eijkemans, managing director of MAB Development Group and jury chair for the 2013 ICSC European Awards, said there was a 'healthy' number of entries for the 2013 awards, including several refurbishments where centres are clearly responding to the changing retail environment. ‘Interestingly, significant adaptation to multi channel retailing isn't apparent in this year's entries, but we anticipate this changing in 2014,' he said.

The awards jury consists of senior international figures within the shopping centre industry. Any retail or entertainment project opened or newly refurbished or extended between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2012 was eligible to apply for an award.

Eijkemans added: 'Selecting the finalists is always challenging. On a few categories there is general agreement among the jury on the finalists. Some of the other categories provoke much more discussion before the final decisions are made.'

The jury will visit all the finalists early in 2013 before a final decision is made ahead of the winners’ announcement at the 38th ICSC Europe Conference in Stockholm next April.

All European Award winners will be automatically submitted to the 2014 ICSC VIVA Best-of-the Best Awards Program to be announced in May 2014.

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