The global imperatives of climate change have transformed the way in which countries, businesses, communities and people now plan for the future. As a result it has become of paramount importance to find ways of addressing climate change whilst building communities in which we want to work and live.

Responsible and balanced use of the world’s resources need not necessarily mean returning to old ways of living. It does however call for more effective dialogue between technology, design and the environment, and increasingly developers are adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.  

Smarter technology has a profound impact - in offices, homes and right across our society. By
looking at how traffic flow is managed, for example, ICT can improve efficiency, and in turn,
help cities reduce carbon emissions.  

We are interested in how skills from different disciplines and backgrounds can be brought to bear on a particular issue or problem. In this case, drawing on your observations, experiences and academic learning in your own field, we are inviting proposals for the conceptual design of an 'Urban 2020 Connected Community of the Future'.

Your ideas should underpin the construction of a community that is well connected, vibrant and thriving and is also a model for eco-town principles with an ethos of sustainability. 

Explore how people are going to use the communal, collective and public spaces to encourage contact among residents.  This could be allotments, resident managed perimeter block courtyard gardens, outdoor play, seating and reading areas.

You are encouraged to think about how you can ensure residents from different ages, economic and educational backgrounds settle into the community to live and work. For example planning a mixture of commercial and residential units of different sizes, some live-work, various for buying, others for renting and social housing.  Consider the type, grouping and the open spaces associated to them.

Working either individually or in groups, we are inviting students from higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland to propose designs for future sustainable developments using a variety of mediums; there is no restriction on what you can submit as your entry.

For example, your entry might be:

• A computerised or 3-D model or design
• An artist’s impression, painting or sketch
• An architectural drawing
• A short film
• A storybook
• An essay
• A project plan

Please note, if you are submitting an entry by email, ensure that it is not more than half a mega byte and that everything is scaled down to A4 so that it can be printed off for judging purposes. If higher resolution images are required, we will let you know.

The competition closing date is Friday, 28th February. We look forward to receiving your entry.