A contest opened to all students
The City as a Network:
Reimagining Urban Infrastructure
Answer the call to invent the city of tomorrow by teaming up with your friends / peers. Join the competition now!
The contest is open to creative minds from various backgrounds: architecture, urban planning, engineering, complex systems, economics, public policy, computer science, etc. Team up!
You will have to showcase your ideas for enhancing a large urban infrastructure project of your choice in transport, energy, telecommunication, etc.
Your submission should include a memo of around 10 pages in word or 30 slides describing the project’s vision and roadmap, along with visual representations: sketches, digital or physical models, etc.
Recognized by peers
Awarded by a jury of experts, led by architect Sadie Morgan (co-founder of drMM), and other recognized public figures to be announced soon
- Teams can consist of 1 to 5 members
- There are no specific requirements related to faculty or disciplinary composition. While multidisciplinary teams are encouraged, it is not mandatory
- Team members must have active student status during the academic year 2024-2025
- Each team must send at the address contact@infravision-thinktank.
com an email with the following details - Names, school and department affiliations, degrees studied, and expected graduation dates of all team members
- A concise overview of their project (1-3 sentences are sufficient)
- Contact details (email and phone number of the team’s contact person)
Prizes for the winning teams
Who we are
InfraVision is a Think Tank founded by Vauban IP, with the support of Altermind, whose raison d’être is to foster fruitful discussions between infrastructure stakeholders (asset operators, investors, experts, start-ups, policymakers, etc.) on forward-looking and hot topics related to infrastructure. Five major reports have already been released, you can find them here.
2025: a contest for students
In 2025, InfraVision is organizing a competition inspired by the theme ‘The City as Network: Reimagining Urban Infrastructure.’ Creative minds from various backgrounds – e.g. students of architecture, urban planning, engineering, complex systems, economics, public policy, computer science, etc. – will be invited to team up and join the contest.
A theme: the city as a network, reimagning urban infrastructure
Participants will showcase their ideas to enhance a large infrastructure project over the next 30 years in a selection of cities with concrete proposals for design, planning, stakeholder engagement, technology and decarbonization, aiming to transform urban networks (transport, energy, telecommunication, waste and water management, etc.).
Students will have the opportunity to tackle complex problems by applying their knowledge, skills, and imagination. They will receive valuable feedback from a jury of experts, led by architect Sadie Morgan (co-founder of drMM), and will include other recognized public figures, soon to be announced, helping the students raise their profile and establish industry contacts.
The competition will offer prize money of 10,000 euros for the 1st-placed team, 7,000 euros for the 2nd-placed team, and 3,000 euros for the 3rd-placed team.
What is expected from contestants?
- Applications will utilize a variety of formats to ensure wide dissemination and adaptability. Submissions will include a memo of 10 pages in word max. or of 30 slides describing the project’s vision and roadmap. Visual representations may be included, although they are optional: sketches, digital or physical models, diagrams, etc.
- Assessment criteria will emphasize design quality, ensuring functionality, and integration within the urban environment; sustainability, considering long-term environmental and social impact; innovation, reflecting creative solutions and the use of new technologies; and overall impact, evaluating contributions to urban connectivity and quality of life.
Opening
Expression of interest
Deadline
Review
Results
Example case study for prospective applicants: Barcelona Metro Extensions and Mobility Challenges
One example city that applicants could choose is Barcelona, Spain, focusing on the planned extensions of the Barcelona Metro system, such as the expansion of Line 1. Participants could analyze how the metro expansion impacts urban connectivity, sustainability, and economic development.
The project submitted may include:
- Design and planning: develop station layouts and surrounding infrastructure that optimize commuter experience and integrate seamlessly with urban areas
- Stakeholder engagement: establish public consultation strategies and partnerships with local businesses and communities to enhance project acceptance and impact
- Technology and innovation: integrate smart technologies such as AI-driven traffic management, automated trains, and real-time data analytics to improve efficiency and service quality
- Sustainability: implement renewable energy sources, energy-efficient train systems, and measures to reduce car dependency, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment
- Urban network integration: starting from the planned metro extension, design connections to other transport modes such as buses and cycling infrastructure, ensuring seamless multimodal mobility. Additionally, integrate the expansion with essential services, including energy grids and telecommunications, to enhance city-wide connectivity and operational efficiency
Material to submit to the jury:
- A memo of around 10 pages word or of 30 slides describing the project’s vision and roadmap
- Possible outline:
- Summary of the project
- Overview of the problems to solve
- Project objectives
- Design concept
- Roadmap
- Project outcomes
- Next steps
- Possible outline:
- Visual representations (optional): participants may provide illustrations, including sketches, digital or physical models, diagrams, etc. These materials may be used for communication and publicity.
This case study exemplifies the type of problem applicants should analyze and solve in their submissions.
Ready to compete?
Start by giving us some basic information and we will get back to you.
Each team must send either through the contact form to the right, or through an email sent to the address contact@infravision-thinktank.com, the following details:
- Names, school and department affiliations, degrees studied, and expected graduation dates of all team members
- A concise overview of their project (1-3 sentences are sufficient)
- Contact details (email and phone number of the team’s contact person)
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