Urban SOS is AECOM’s annual student competition. It was created to engage students in urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental restoration, and engineering with the issues confronting modern cities and to allow them to propose solutions that, if worthy, will be seen by established professionals in their field.
With more than half of the growing world population living in cities, how we address urban and natural landscapes will determine much about the future of our 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. Our aspiration for the competition is to foster a cross-disciplinary approach to the complex challenges facing today’s built and natural environments.
The 2012 competition culminates with an event at the end of November in Shanghai. This year, we are addressing the issue of Frontiers as the driving theme of the Urban SOS competition. Our globalizing world is currently undergoing mass migrations, geo-political shifts and new patterns of commerce, enhancing the role of cities as the stage sets for these massive changes. In addition to a cash prize for the winning team, we will arrange a donation to a charitable, humanitarian or community organization to further develop the winning scheme.
PRIZES:
Each of the three finalist teams will receive an honorarium to contribute to travel expenses related to visiting Shanghai to present the team’s submission. The finalist honoraria are to contribute to expenses related to attendance and presentation in Shanghai only and cannot be exchanged for other prizes. In addition, each team will receive US$500 to contribute to additional costs. No other costs or fees will be covered by AECOM or the sponsors.
The winning team (or teams) will receive a cash prize. The total prize money is valued at US$15,000, which may be divided amongst one or more winning teams.
A further US$25,000 in cash and inkind staff hours will be donated by AECOM to a charitable or humanitarian organization or related agency to help further develop the winning proposal.
