Ed Bacon Memorial Committee announces the 2020 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards Student Competition. This annual competition, with a $5,000 first prize, challenges university-level students (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral) from around the world to address real-world urban design issues in Philadelphia that have application not only to our city, but to urban centers around the globe. The most successful entries tend to come from diverse teams which include individuals from a variety of fields: architecture, urban planning, design (industrial, graphic, etc.), landscape architecture, public health, economic development, environmental science, real estate law, business, or other fields which might bring innovative ideas to your proposal.

Read more about 2020 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards Student Competition on Contest Watchers.

The 2019 Better Philadelphia Challenge, themed: Re-Imagining the Heart of Kensington, has been announced and opened for registration to all university-level students worldwide. This time the organizers are seeking creative concepts for the Kensington neighborhood in North Philadelphia. How can the design of public space in the neighborhood around McPherson Square, from sidewalks and streets to landscaping and street furniture, help address the effects of the opioid epidemic, make the community safer, and improve quality of life for those in the neighborhood? The first prize for 2019 is $5,000. Additional prizes will be announced as well.

Read more about 2019 Better Philadelphia Challenge: Re-Imagining the Heart of Kensington on Contest Watchers.

The 2018 Better Philadelphia Challenge, themed: The Next Parkway, has recently opened registration to all university-level students worldwide. This year’s challenge seeks creative and open interpretations of what a new ‘Parkway’ could be in a dense and developed 21st century city and invites teams to share their grand vision for how Philadelphia’s existing natural and cultural resources could be better linked with their neighboring communities – both physically and in the minds of residents and visitors. The first prize for 2018 is $5,000, to be awarded with prizes for the second and the third best project. One Honorable Mention will also be announced.

Read more about 2018 Better Philadelphia Challenge: The Next Parkway on Contest Watchers.

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.

Read more about 2016 Better Philadelphia Challenge: Designing Healthy Neighborhoods on Contest Watchers.