RESILIENT COASTAL CITY 2050
Blueprint For Coastal City Facing Climate Uncertainty
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CHALLENGE
Design Intent & Objective
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Introduction
Coastal cities are on the frontlines of climate change, facing rising sea levels, intensified storms, ecosystem degradation, and growing socio-economic vulnerabilities. By 2050, nearly one billion people are projected to live in coastal zones, making resilience not a choice but a necessity.
Resilient Coastal City 2050 invites architects, urban designers, planners, and thinkers to envision future-ready coastal cities that can adapt, absorb, and thrive amidst climate uncertainty while remaining inclusive, productive, and ecologically balanced.
Objective
The objective of this competition is to explore innovative design strategies for a resilient coastal city that:
Responds to sea-level rise, flooding, erosion, and extreme weather
Integrates nature-based and technological solutions
Balances urban growth with ecosystem preservation
Prioritizes human safety, social equity, and long-term adaptability
Participants are encouraged to propose visionary yet feasible urban frameworks suitable for implementation by 2050.
The Building Program
Participants may choose to design a master plan or a strategic urban system, which may include:
Coastal defense systems (living shorelines, mangroves, wetlands, hybrid barriers)
Flood-resilient housing and mixed-use districts
Elevated or amphibious infrastructure
Public spaces and waterfront promenades
Transportation and mobility networks
Climate-adaptive utilities (water, waste, energy)
Disaster-response and evacuation infrastructure
Blue-green networks and ecological corridors
The scale and typology are flexible, allowing participants to focus on urban design, architecture, or integrated systems.
Site
The site is hypothetical but representative of a vulnerable coastal city.
Participants may assume:
A low-lying coastal terrain
Exposure to flooding, storm surges, and erosion
Existing urban fabric, informal settlements, and ecological zones
Participants must clearly define their assumed context, climate challenges, and geographic conditions
Recognition
Rewards for architectural excellence
The final prize amounts depend on the total number of entries received. Should the competition not achieve the final registration target, the cash prizes may be adjusted accordingly.
TOP 3 WINNERS
Publication | Certificate of Recognition | Jury Report | Interview |
Free Memberships in architectural communities, forums, or libraries.
& more
HONOURABLE MENTION X 5
Publication | Certificate of Recognition
SPECIAL MENTION X 1
Publication | Certificate of Recognition
SHORTLISTED ENTRIES X 30
Name & project title listed in competition results | Certificate of Participation
*The final prize amounts depend on the total number of entries received. Should the competition not achieve the final registration target, the cash prizes may be adjusted accordingly.
Timeline
Key dates for architectural design challenge
Navigate the critical milestones of our global architectural competition. Each date marks a crucial step in your design journey.
2 January 2027
Registration
Final registration deadline for architects and designers worldwide.
Register before the deadline.
11 January 2027
Submission
Final deadline for submitting groundbreaking architectural proposals.
Internal - External
Review
Expert panel begins comprehensive evaluation of submitted design concepts.
17 March 2027
Results
Winners will be announced, celebrating innovation in architectural design.
All deadlines are 11:59 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Fees
Transparent registration pricing for global participants
Our registration fees are designed to be accessible for architects and designers at all stages of their careers. We offer flexible payment options to support creative talent.
Early Bird
Start Date: 1st January 2026
End Date: 1st February 2026
Fees: $ 6
Standard Registration 1
Start Date: 2nd February 2026
End Date: 1st March 2026
Fees: $ 10
Standard Registration 2
Start Date: 2nd March 2026
End Date: 16th March 2026
Fees: $ 15
Standard Registration 3
Start Date: 17th March 2026
End Date: 1st April 2026
Fees: $ 19
Standard Registration 4
Start Date: 2nd April 2026
End Date: 16th April 2026
Fees: $ 24
Standard Registration 5
Start Date: 17th April 2026
End Date: 1st May 2026
Fees: $ 28
Standard Registration 6
Start Date: 2nd May 2026
End Date: 16th May 2026
Fees: $ 32
Standard Registration 7
Start Date: 17th May 2026
End Date: 1st June 2026
Fees: $34
Standard Registration 8
Start Date: 2nd June 2026
End Date: 16th June 2026
Fees: $36
Standard Registration 9
Start Date: 17th June 2026
End Date: 1st July 2026
Fees: $38
Standard Registration 10
Start Date: 2nd July 2026
End Date: 16th July 2026
Fees: $39
Standard Registration 11
Start Date: 17th July 2026
End Date: 1st August 2026
Fees: $41
Standard Registration 12
Start Date: 2nd August 2026
End Date: 16th August 2026
Fees: $43
Standard Registration 13
Start Date: 17th August 2026
End Date: 1st September 2026
Fees: $44
Standard Registration 14
Start Date: 2nd September 2026
End Date: 16th September 2026
Fees: $46
Standard Registration 15
Start Date: 17th September 2026
End Date: 1st October 2026
Fees: $48
Standard Registration 16
Start Date: 2nd October 2026
End Date: 16th October 2026
Fees: $49
Standard Registration 17
Start Date: 17th October 2026
End Date: 1st November 2026
Fees: $51
Standard Registration 18
Start Date: 2nd November 2026
End Date: 16th November 2026
Fees: $53
Standard Registration 19
Start Date: 17th November 2026
End Date: 1st December 2026
Fees: $54
Standard Registration 20
Start Date: 2nd December 2026
End Date: 16th December 2026
Fees: $56
Late Registrations
Start Date: 17th December 2026
End Date: 2nd January 2027
Fees: $58
Institutions
Special discounts for academic design programs
We believe in supporting educational institutions that nurture architectural talent. Our university discount program encourages collective participation and innovation.
Eligibility
Available to students enrolled in accredited architecture or design programs with valid ID.
Individual Discount
Reduced entry fee for verified student participants.
Group Discount
Special rates for university students - with 5 or more regsitrations .
University Partnership
Institutions can collaborate for extended benefits and recognition.
Contact us to receive university discounts. Send us a request from your university email address along with basic information about yourself and your university/school. Attach your university ID cards to the email.
Registration & Submission
Navigate the registration & submission
process with ease
A clear, straightforward path from registration to final design submission. We've simplified the process to let your creativity shine.
1. Pay the Registration Fee
2. Sign in your Archiol Account.
3. Access will be provided in 24 hours. (Dropdown menu near profile picture.)
4. Register & Submit anytime before deadline
FAQs
Get clarity on competition details. Quick answers to common competition questions.
How can I create my participation code?
Complete the registration form available under the profile icon in the top-right corner (dropdown menu). After registering, you can generate your participation code. Please refer to the video guide for assistance.
Should the participation code be placed on the sheets?
No, the participation code should not appear on the sheets. Instead, use it to name the submission file.
Should each sheet be numbered to indicate the display order?
Yes, each sheet should be numbered sequentially to indicate the order in which they should be viewed.
What is the official language for Archiol competitions?
The official language for all Archiol competitions is English. All submissions, including written descriptions, presentations, and supporting documents, must be in English.
Can I get a refund if I withdraw my participation?
Unfortunately, registration fees are non-refundable once paid.
Can I modify my submission after uploading it?
Yes, modifications are allowed until the submission deadline. After the deadline, submissions are final and cannot be altered.
How do I Register and Submit my design?
Please refer to the registration and submission video guide for step-by-step instructions.
Can I register for multiple competitions?
Absolutely! You can register for as many competitions as you like, as long as you meet the deadlines and requirements for each.
Can I register as a team?
Yes, you can register either as an individual or as a team. For team registrations, only one member is required to complete the registration form and make the payment on behalf of the group. Each team can include up to a maximum of 4 members.
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