18 August 2023
Global non-profit organisation World Urban Parks have launched a new and innovative competition with a total prize pot of over $50,000!
Parkitecture is an International Design Contest which aims to be a worldwide celebration of innovation and creativity. Applicants are asked to submit a design for one of 557 parks and green spaces in Culiacán, Mexico which range from 200sqm to 50 hectares.
Parkitecture submissions can be for a landscape, architecture, products, or public art.
The city of Culiacán was chosen as a result of World Urban Parks commitment to supporting underdeveloped or developing regions as part their "Emerging Cities" program. Culiacán fits the profile for Parkitecture's first phase as it has a GDP of less than $25k per capita and is experiencing an accelerated population growth from just 167,000 inhabitants to just over 1 million in the past 50 years.
Improving urban parks offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to residents’ wellbeing on many levels. Research also highlighted the greater need for more inclusive, accessible and equitable spaces
Applications are evaluated under a range of processes and criteria including:
- Innovation and integral quality
- Feasibility
- Presentation
- People's Choice Voting
Submissions are open to participants from around the world and can be delivered individually or in teams of two or three people, and will be divided into Professional and Student categories. Professional category winners will be awarded up to $50,000 USD cash prize, and Student category winners will receive up to $2,000 USD cash prize.
Parkitecture is working alongside local partners Parques Alegres, Yobelo and The National Association for Parks and Recreation – Mexico to create an extensive analysis of Culiacán parks and open spaces with an emphasis on ‘healthy green’ quality levels and the voices of park users in Culiacán.
Judges will include Michael Boland from The Presidio Trust in San Francisco; Edinburgh-based Maria K Zachariades, co-chair of the World Urban Parks’ Ageing, Wellbeing and Parks Committee; and Leticia Lozano, co-founder and director of MACIA Estudio in Mexico City.
To find out more you can:
Visit the World Urban Parks Parkitecture webpage HERE
Listen to the Podparks Podcast episode on Parkitecture HERE (also available on Spotify / Apple Podcasts)
Read the full Parkitecture contest brief HERE
About World Urban Parks
World Urban Parks is the organisation to go to for international advice, support and getting connected with urban park, open space and recreation issues, people and activity. We combine the experience of our members and partners with opportunities to help build urban parks leadership and bring about significant improvements in cities where rapid urbanisation is occurring.
Green Flag Award has been a member of World Urban Parks since 2017 and is actively involved in a number of initiatives. Our International Development Manager, Carl McClean is the current Chair of the Europe Region Committee.
