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International Design Competition

SMART CITY MASTER PLAN

Smart City Plan design competition inviting architects and urban designers to create human-centered, sustainable, and technology-driven city master plans that integrate mobility, climate resilience, and social equity.

SMART CITY MASTER PLAN

Designing Intelligent City That Is Well Connected, Climate Responsive And People First

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CHALLENGE

Design Intent & Objective

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Introduction

Rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological advancement are reshaping how cities are planned and experienced. The Smart City Plan competition invites designers to reimagine future cities that intelligently integrate technology, sustainability, mobility, and social equity. Beyond digital infrastructure, the focus is on creating human-centered, resilient, and inclusive urban environments where innovation enhances everyday life.



Objective

The objective of this competition is to develop a comprehensive smart city master plan that:

  • Prioritizes people, public life, and inclusivity

  • Integrates smart mobility, data-driven infrastructure, and digital governance

  • Responds effectively to climate, ecology, and resource management

  • Encourages walkability, accessibility, and community well-being

Participants are encouraged to propose visionary yet practical urban strategies that balance technology with environmental and social responsibility.



The Building Program

Participants may design a conceptual master plan for a smart city or district incorporating:

  • Residential zones (mixed-income, inclusive housing)

  • Commercial and employment hubs

  • Public spaces, parks, and civic plazas

  • Smart mobility systems (public transit, cycling, pedestrian networks)

  • Climate-responsive infrastructure (water management, green corridors, energy systems)

  • Community facilities (healthcare, education, cultural spaces)

  • Digital and smart governance infrastructure (IoT, data centers, monitoring systems)

  • Scale and density are flexible but should be clearly justified.



Site

The site is hypothetical and open-ended, allowing participants to choose:

  • A greenfield site

  • An urban expansion zone

  • A brownfield redevelopment area

Participants must define site context, climate conditions, and urban challenges as part of the proposal.

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.

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31 December 2026

Registration

Final registration deadline for architects and designers worldwide.

Register before the deadline.

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9 January 2027

Submission

Final deadline for submitting groundbreaking architectural proposals.

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Internal - External

Review

Expert panel begins comprehensive evaluation of submitted design concepts.

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15 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: 31st January 2026

Fees: $ 6

Standard Registration 1

Start Date: 1st February 2026

End Date: 28th February 2026

Fees: $ 10

Standard Registration 2

Start Date: 1st March 2026

End Date: 15th March 2026

Fees: $ 15

Standard Registration 3

Start Date: 16th March 2026

End Date: 31st March 2026

Fees: $ 19

Standard Registration 4

Start Date: 1st April 2026

End Date: 15th April 2026

Fees: $ 24

Standard Registration 5

Start Date: 16th April 2026

End Date: 30th April 2026

Fees: $ 28

Standard Registration 6

Start Date: 1st May 2026

End Date: 15th May 2026

Fees: $ 32

Standard Registration 7

Start Date: 16th May 2026

End Date: 31st May 2026

Fees: $34

Standard Registration 8

Start Date: 1st June 2026

End Date: 15th June 2026

Fees: $36

Standard Registration 9

Start Date: 16th June 2026

End Date: 30th June 2026

Fees: $38

Standard Registration 10

Start Date: 1st July 2026

End Date: 15th July 2026

Fees: $39

Standard Registration 11

Start Date: 16th July 2026

End Date: 31st July 2026

Fees: $41

Standard Registration 12

Start Date: 1st August 2026

End Date: 15th Augusts 2026

Fees: $43

Standard Registration 13

Start Date: 16th August 2026

End Date: 31st August 2026

Fees: $44

Standard Registration 14

Start Date: 1st September 2026

End Date: 15th September 2026

Fees: $46

Standard Registration 15

Start Date: 16th September 2026

End Date: 30th September 2026

Fees: $48

Standard Registration 16

Start Date: 1st October 2026

End Date: 15th October 2026

Fees: $49

Standard Registration 17

Start Date: 16th October 2026

End Date: 31st October 2026

Fees: $51

Standard Registration 18

Start Date: 1st November 2026

End Date: 15th November 2026

Fees: $53

Standard Registration 19

Start Date: 16th November 2026

End Date: 30th November 2026

Fees: $54

Standard Registration 20

Start Date: 1st December 2026

End Date: 15th December 2026

Fees: $56

Late Registrations

Start Date: 16th December 2026

End Date: 31st December 2026

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.

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Eligibility

Available to students enrolled in accredited architecture or design programs with valid ID.

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Individual Discount

Reduced entry fee for verified student participants.

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Group Discount

Special rates for university students - with 5 or more regsitrations .

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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.

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1. Pay the Registration Fee

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2. Sign in your Archiol Account.

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3. Access will be provided in 24 hours. (Dropdown menu near profile picture.)

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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.

Need more information?

Our team is ready to help you through every step of the competition.

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