Transforming the urban landscape – Architect’s Journal

Open to all creative professionals, students and those involved in the built environment the competition seeks bold visions for how urban public spaces could better serve people following the challenges and upheaval of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The call for concepts will identify a range of solutions for how pressures resulting from Covid-19 and other major challenges such as climate change could create a positive and long-lasting legacy in which streets, squares and other public spaces are radically improved for everyone.

According to the brief: COVID-19 has had a devastating and unprecedented effect on our lives, economies, the places where we live and our lifestyles. These effects are likely to be long lasting and profound. Yet in the midst of these dark times there have been some glimmers of hope city dwellers have heard birdsong for the first time; urban air is visibly cleaner; Venices water more clear and car use has reduced.

Many of the changes that are needed to help combat climate change were implemented rapidly to minimise the spread of the disease. This presents us with a unique opportunity to use the effects of the pandemic to create a positive and long-lasting legacy to the benefit of our communities, the places where we live, work and play and the environment.

The coronavirus pandemic started in January 2020 and has so far resulted in at least 37.5 million infections and 1.07 million deaths. The spread of the disease often via droplets in the air between people in close proximity has resulted in profound shifts in the organisation of societies around the world.

Temporary and potentially lasting requirements for social distancing have forced a rethink of many public spaces, centres of consumption, workspace, and homes severely impacting economies and increasing structural inequalities.

The latest contest divided into separate categories for students and professionals invites participants to select a place and explore how it could be adapted to respond to these new challenges.

Proposals should consider the benefits of a greener recovery, address the climate and biodiversity emergency, and help citizens to lead healthy and safe lives. Submissions must include two A3 sized digital display boards featuring illustrative images and a 250-word description.

Judges will include Ally Lu, lecturer at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield; Cathy Parker, co-chair of the Institute of Place Management; and Krystallia Kamvasinou, senior lecturer at University of Westminsters School of Architecture and Cities.

The overall winner of the professional category will receive a 2,000 prize and a student prize of 500 will also be awarded. All entries will feature in an online exhibition.

The deadline for applications is 5pm, 4 December.

How to apply

Visit the competition website for more information

Contact details

Landscape Institute85 Tottenham Court RoadLondon W1T 4TQ

Tel: 0330 808 2230

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Transforming the urban landscape - Architect's Journal