The Urban Land Institute (ULI), through the ULI Young Leaders Group (YLG) in Australia, has launched a competition inviting young property and design professionals from around the world to reimagine the heart of Sydney’s central business district.

The competition is part of the Urban Innovations Ideas Initiative that champions urban innovation, collaboration and youth leadership in the property industry, and explores ways to improve the liveability of our growing and ever-changing cities.

The competition, George Street 2020, Reimagine Sydney’s Main Street, will be launched on the      13th August 2015 and run to late November 2015, with the stage 1 winners announced at the opening event of the Sydney Architecture Festival on 2 October, followed by a public exhibition showcasing the submissions.

The competition’s primary aim is to provide a platform for today’s young professionals to express and stimulate ideas about how cities can add social, cultural, ecological and economic value through the potential of public space and judges will look for ideas that enhance public space opportunities along the new light rail corridor.

The Urban Innovation Initiative has been organised by the ULI Young Leaders Group, with support by the ULI Urban Innovations sponsor, Mirvac. The competition is supported by the Committee for Sydney and the City of Sydney.

John Carfi, Mirvac’s Head of Residential said, “Mirvac is delighted to be involved in The ULI’s Urban Innovation Initiative. Innovation is at the core of our culture. We encourage the call for fresh international ideas on the successful urbanisation of our Cities at critical phases in their development.”

Chair of the Committee for Sydney, Lucy Turnbull, AO said, “The future of our cities is in the hands of the next generation. I’m looking forward to creative and enthusiastic young professionals inspiring us with innovative ideas for making our cities even better places to live.”

Graham Jahn AM, Director City Planning, Development and Transport at the City of Sydney said,

“The City is very pleased to support this initiative for a number of reasons.

It provides a challenging platform that on one hand tests the innovative skills of up and coming urban development practitioners; while teasing out fresh ideas and scenarios that could shape the City’s urban landscape for decades to come.

George Street has the potential to be ‘the best street in the world” –  the future experience of George Street will be a game changer for retail customers, walkers, workers, and will influence property development decisions and investment.

Now is an ideal time to test the minds and creative instincts of the next generation of property professionals. It will cast a light on how they see their role in providing leadership for responsible land use and design.”

Clare Sowden, President, ULI YLG Australia said, “All too often the voice of young people gets overlooked in shaping our cities. By harnessing the ingenuity and boldness of the world’s best young thinkers we are seeking to contribute ideas to making George Street a globally significant place.”

Michelle Tabet – Jury Member, 2015 ULI Urban Innovation Competition said, “Good ideas can come from anywhere. It would be a real missed opportunity not to engage young designers, strategists and emerging practices on tackling some of the large challenges our city faces. As my recent appointment as Creative Director (with Aileen Sage) for the Australian Exhibition for the 2016 Venice Biennale shows, sometimes the strongest idea does not come from the usual suspects.”

George Street 2020, Re-imagining Sydney’s Main Street

The 2015 competition seeks ideas for the activation of Sydney’s George Street, coinciding with the implementation of the new light rail in 2020. The competition is split into two stages:

·         Stage 1: Entrants present their ideas by submitting 1 x 30 second video, 1 x A3 image and 500 words of text describing their concept;

·         Stage 2: Shortlisted entrants will be mentored by industry professionals relevant to their project to refine and develop their idea to a professional standard

The Urban Innovations Prize will be awarded to the competition winner and will include a cash prize as well as the opportunity to present their idea at ULI’s 2016 Asia Pacific Summit.

For competition details please visit: http://www.urbaninnovations.com.au/

Media Contact:    
James Hacking
Phone – (852)2586 7886
Email – [email protected]

About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 35,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines, including more than 1,850 in Asia.

About the ULI Young Leaders Group (YLG)

The ULI Young Leaders Group (YLG) is an affinity group for members under 35 years old who are dedicated to the responsible use of land and real estate in enhancing our future. The YLG strives to provide a unique setting for the leaders of tomorrow to interact and network both professionally and socially, with the leaders of today. It offers younger ULI members the opportunity to network with their peers, gain exposure to senior industry professionals, and to continue their professional education.