2016 'Urban Innovation Ideas' Competition Finalists Revealed

Trams, viral videos and a open-air library are just some of the ideas that have been raised as ways to transform Brisbane’s City Fringe in the Urban Land Institute’s 2016 Urban Innovation Ideas Competition.

The winners of Stage 1 of the competition, Connecting Urban Precincts, were announced in Brisbane and were chosen from a field of 27 entrants, with both local and international representation.

The four finalists now receive a cash incentive from the competition sponsor, Mirvac, as well as support to refine their initial ideas into a developed concept prior to the announcement of the competition winner by the Lord Mayor later this year.

Finalist: ARK anticipates and bridges the contemporary focus area to a ‘Future World City’ through an urban ideology of contradiction between sub-tropical living and digital living.

The competition is an initiative of the Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group, and its Queensland Competition Co-Director Annabelle Matthews believes the entries showcased the creative talent and innovation of Brisbane’s youth, each of whom put their best ideas forward to revitalise an important part of the river city.

“I’d like to thank all the entrants for sharing their ideas which could help build Brisbane’s reputation as a New World City,” she said.

“The entries have already stimulated new concepts for urban innovation and development and we are looking forward to seeing the finalists expand their ideas for the next stage of the competition.”

Finalist: 'Bring forward the evening' includes a trail of illuminated globes that will draw people into and through Brisbane. These trails of light act to lead people towards focus areas which will be used to create a connetion between the day and night as a live outdoor music venue marking the start of an evening.

The competition invited young professionals in design and property related fields, under the age of 35, from across the country and overseas, to present their ideas in a 30 second video, accompanied by an A3 image and 500 words of text describing their concept.

Urban Land Institue Australia’s Executive Director and jury Chair David McCracken reinforced the Urban Innovation Ideas Competition role in giving young professionals an opportunity to show how they can help better shape the future of Brisbane’s urban environments.

Finalist: 'The City Stitch' is a biophilic forest with layers of urban life that complements its surrounding precincts of the city, delivers residential and commercial opportunities, provides multiple mechanisms for creatives to inhabit and collaborate, and represents a new world city that will epitomise biophilic design to become a world leading example of landscape urbanism.

“This ULI competiton encourages the discussion and presentation of innovative ideas to help industry, engaged stakeholders and the Council think about and deliver a stronger future for their city,” he said.

“Brisbane has all the facets of a New World City and the ULI are excited about supporting the City and unlocking the potential Brisbane holds for locals as well as interstate and international visitors.”

Finalist: The proposed design of 'Dear Future' integrates changes to traffic direction and streetscape layout which will allow for improved public transport. It sees more open space and enhanced non-vehicular connectivity to the city, valley and riverfront which will allow for improved pedestrian circulation.

Stage two of the competition commences on Tuesday 11 October with the finalists develop their concepts in more detail prior to submission to a jury of City and industry experts on Tuesday 1 November. The winning idea will be announced by Lord Mayor of Brisbane Graham Quirk on Thursday 17 November.

The competition winner will be awarded the ULI’s Urban Innovations Prize, sponsored by Mirvac, which will include a cash prize as well as the opportunity to present their idea at ULI’s 2017 Asia Pacific Summit in Singapore.

The Urban Innovation Initiative is annual regular competition undertaken by the ULI to promote fresh international ideas on urban issues.