The Better Philadelphia Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary, offering $10,000 in prizes for the 2016 design competition.
Open to college students (undergraduate, graduate, + PhD) as well as to professionals (design or other) around the world, the 2016 Competition is themed “Designing Healthy Neighborhoods” and dedicated to the Mantua/Belmont section of Philadelphia.
College student and professional entries will be judged separately, with a $5,000 First Prize for each.
The Mantua/Belmont section of Philadelphia was chosen as one of Barak Obama’s first “Promise Zones” for economic development – one of only five in the USA. This neighborhood is bordered by some of Philadelphia’s largest institutions as well as by large industrial sites. As part of this neighborhood’s development, what physical design interventions could encourage healthy and active lifestyles, thereby improving public health among residents?
What physical design interventions could encourage healthy and active lifestyles in a Philadelphia? What types of health and activity concerns will your proposal address: obesity, mental health, violence, food access, asthma, a combination of these or other issues?
You are strongly encouraged to form a diverse team that include individuals from a variety of fields: architecture, urban planning, design (industrial, graphic, etc.), landscape architecture, public health, economic development, real estate law, or other fields which might bring innovation to your proposal.
Founded in 2006 in memory of Philadelphia’s iconic 20th century city planner, Ed Bacon [1910-2005], the Better Philadelphia competition challenges students and professionals from around the world to address real-world urban design issues in Philadelphia that have application not only to the City, but to urban centers around the globe.
2016 Better Philadelphia Challenge Participation Fees
Registration in the competition is free. Each Student Entry costs $25 and each Professional Entry – $50.