RICS launches global competition to find solutions to problems facing the world’s expanding cities
New Delhi: RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has launched the “Cities for our Future competition”, in partnership with the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The challenge calls on young people to come up with new ideas to help tackle the most pressing problems affecting cities in South Asia and around the world.
The growth of the world’s cites is one of the biggest challenges facing society today. Three million people, equal to the population of Greater Manchester, England move to cities every week. This puts ever more strain on urban infrastructure and services. Many city dwellers live in slums or poor quality housing; many put up with poor air quality and transport links.
Entries will need to provide practical, innovative solutions to address some of these challenges. The winner will receive a £50,000 prize and mentoring with industry experts to bring their idea to life. The idea could be made into a prototype that makes a positive contribution to the world. The winner will also get the chance to build their professional profile at an international level, potentially kick start a rewarding and varied career, and work with experts within the surveying industry.
Those entering the competition have been asked to propose solutions to issues affecting 24 global cities, including Delhi and Mumbai:
Delhi: Entrants are asked to consider what new ideas can help rapidly growing cities like Delhi reduce the number of slum dwellers.
Mumbai: Entrants are asked to consider how coastal cities like Mumbai can better protect their populations from the increased threat of flooding.
If you are you an imaginative, problem solving young professional, start up or student involved in surveying, urban design, architecture, or engineering, you can share your transformative ideas for projects and policies that solve some of the defining issues of our time: Rapid Urbanisation, Climate Change and Resource Scarcity.
Young professionals wishing to enter the competition should visit www.citiesforourfuture.com . The competition closes on May 31, 2018. The regional shortlist will be announced by June 30, 2018 and the global winner will be announced by November, 2018.
Sean Tompkins, RICS CEO, said, “The world’s cities are growing all the time, creating a range of challenges that will need to be addressed if they are to become safe, clean and comfortable places to live. Throughout the Royal Institution’s 150 years, chartered surveyors have been crucial to urban development all over the globe and we are proud to be running this competition to find innovative and practical ideas to improve our cities.”
For more information on the RICS 150 campaign, visit https://www.citiesforourfuture.com/