DEADLINE 29 July - 2011 AECOM Student competition, Urban SOS: Water

2011 AECOM Student competition
Urban SOS: Water

With more than half of the world living in cities, the way in which we address environmental challenges will determine much about our future as a planet. As a global design and engineering consultancy, AECOM recognizes that cities require broad-based, interdisciplinary thinking and, if properly managed, can become machines for environmental and social progress.

Urban SOS is an annual student competition created to engage students in the fields of urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture and engineering with the issues confronting modern cities and to foster a cross-disciplinary approach to the complex challenges facing today's built and natural environments.

Water, the world's most vital resource, is central to every aspect of city life: from basic human sustenance and public health to environmental remediation and overall urban renewal. Water is the driving theme of this year's Urban SOS competition, and submissions are being accepted for the following areas of inquiry:

- Power generation/energy
- Potable and safe water access
- Transport
- Drought
- Natural disaster
- Sea-level rise/climate change
- Loss of habitat
- Water quality
- Guerrilla/alternative treatments of water and wastewater
- Water sensitive urban design
- Recycling

Responses can range from a strategic framework to a surgical micro-response, from a whole landscape system to a single piece of architecture or infrastructure. Entrants will be judged on their feasibility, creativity and multi-disciplinary approach.

The competition is open to teams of up to four students each. In order to be eligible, all team members must be enrolled in a certified undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate program of study in the autumn term 2011. The competition is geared towards those studying urban and regional planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, engineering and related disciplines. This year, we are also encouraging entries especially from students concentrating on studies in water sciences or hydrology.

The top three teams will be invited to London in November 2011 to present their schemes at the NLA, the center for London’s Built Environment.

A US$15,000 cash prize will be made available for the winning submission(s). Furthermore, an in-kind donation of both cash and staff time of up to US$25,000 will be made available to a charitable organization to help realize the winning entry. We will work with the winning team to select a charitable, relief or community organization in a position to help advance the project or the ideas it generates.

Step 1: A mandatory pre-registration by July 29, 2011.

Step 2: Apply online by the July 29, 2011.

For further information and applications, visit AECOM website here