Dencity Competition 2016

The Brief
After receiving over 350 registrations from 50 different countries at last year's inaugural Dencity Competition, Shelter is pleased to invite back architects, planners, students, engineers, designers, thinkers, NGOs and organizations from all over the world to take part in designing for a better city.
Rapid world growth and urbanization is not allowing cities to adapt and provide for their inhabitants. Towns are quickly growing into cities, and some of the densest places in the world are comprised of makeshift homes, otherwise referred to as slums. Furthermore, already overcrowded cities have to absorb people leaving their rural hometown in hope of job opportunities. There are currently over 1 billion slum dwellers in the world. This number is expected to reach 2 billion by the year 2030. Now, more than ever, we need to play a central role in the development of substandard neighborhoods. Slums effect much more than just housing; they affect almost all living conditions and communities as a whole.
The intent of this competition is twofold: to foster new ideas on how to better handle the growing density of unplanned cities and to spread awareness of this massive problem. Contestants should consider how design can empower communities and allow for a self-sufficient future.
There are no restrictions in regards to site, program, or size. Projects can be based on a specific location or a general concept. The object is to limit constraints and give participants the freedom to think in the most creative way possible. Submissions do not need to be created exclusively for this competition, but should not have been submitted elsewhere.

Registration
Architects, students, engineers, designers, thinkers, NGOs and organizations are all invited to participate in this competition. No professional qualifications are necessary. Interdisciplinary teams are also encouraged to join.
Registration Fee is $55/project
Registration opens December 17, 2015
Registration closes March 14, 2016
Late Registration goes until April 25, 2016 at midnight and is $80
Participants may submit multiple projects, but must register each entry
Individual entries are allowed. All teams are limited to 4 people maximum

Jury

• Andrew Balster - Executive Director for Archeworks
• David Cole – Director of Building Trust International
• Geeta Mehta - Professor at Columbia University, co-founder of URBZ
• Julia King - Architect and Urban Researcher, Emerging Woman Architect of the Year
• Katie Crepeau - Former Editor-in-Chief for Impact Design Hub
• Michael Murphy - Founder of MASS Design Group
• Peter Williams - Founder of Archive Global
• Robert Elkins - Winner of 2015 Dencity Competition, co-founder of OC Workshop

Awards
1st Place: $3,000 USD + Build Abroad trip (http://buildabroad.org)
2nd Place: $1,500 USD
3rd Place: $750 USD
There will also be 5 special mentions. Winners and special mentions will be published in several international online magazines as well as the Shelter website.

For more information and to register please visit:
https://shelterglobal.org/competition/