Application Guidelines

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Key info about the competition

• Participants are required to choose one (or several) site(s) from the participating cities.
• Participants are not required to choose the site from the city they reside or study in. 
• Participants will develop a design response and comprehensive action plan for the site, to regenerate the area with green solutions.
• A Site Form is provided for each city. This is prepared by the city and will summarise the context of the site and detail the city’s objectives and specifications for the project. 
• The Site Form may provide further information regarding submission requirements such as language requirements as well as potential additional awards given by the city.
•  This should be read in conjunction with the details and requirements outlined in this document. An online folder (“dataroom”) is also available and contains relevant documentation related to the site. 

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10 Principles for a Green & Thriving Neighbourhood

The Students Reinventing Cities competition aims to harness new models for green and thriving neighbourhoods, to help with this, the competition defines ten design principles that the teams are invited to consider when developing their project. More information about each of these 10 principles may be found in the Guidance to design a green and thriving neighbourhood.

1 - Complete neighbourhoods
2 - People-centred streets and green mobility 
3 - Smart and connected places
4 - A place for everyone
5 - Clean construction
6 - Green energy and buildings
7 - Circular resources
8 - Green spaces, urban nature and climate resilience
9 - Sustainable living
10 - Green economy

Teams are invited to consider all 10 Principles while developing their project. However, it is important for teams to focus on the principles that are most appropriate for the site. Each city has indicated in its Site Form specific environmental priorities and objectives for its site. 

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Evaluation Criteria and Juries

For each site, the final projects will be judged and selected based on the following criteria:

1. Quality of the team and of their approach to developing the project.
   
2. Quality of design and relevance of the project to the specifics of the site. 
   
3. Proposed solutions to respond to the 10 Principles.
   
4. Feasibility of the project.
   

For each site, the final projects are evaluated by a jury that will be composed of representatives from the city, C40 and may include external international experts. The composition of the juries will be made public.

A winner is selected for each site, special mentions may be indicated.

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Awards

For each site, the winning team will:

• Receive public recognition by both the city and C40. This will include the receipt of an official Certificate signed by the Mayor of the city and the Executive Director of C40.

• Receive coverage in local and global communication campaigns (incl. social media, press releases, featuring on the C40 Reinventing Cities website).

• Be featured in an official video sponsored by C40 that will celebrate their project. 

• Be invited to present their project to business leaders, city officials and/or leading climate organisations. 

• Be invited by the city to stay involved in an advisory role regarding future projects in the area (optional).

Additional awards may be given, at the city's discretion. Further information regarding additional awards can be found within the city-specific Site Form. 

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Objectives

With the Students Reinventing Cities initiative, participating global cities have identified small neighbourhoods, blocks or main streets they intend to transform and revive. Together with C40, they invite multidisciplinary teams of students from around the world to imagine a pathway to decarbonize these urban areas and improve the quality of life for local communities, following the 15-minute city model. Students Reinventing Cities will:

• actively drive collaboration between students and city governments to deliver new approaches for low-carbon urbanisation. 

• support the development of new ideas and innovative solutions that can be rolled out on a global scale. 

• create a space for academics and students to contribute to addressing the climate crisis and shaping a future that has climate and social justice at its heart.

• strengthen students’ knowledge of the leading policies, solutions and technologies on sustainability.

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About C40

C40 is a network of mayors of nearly 100 world-leading cities collaborating to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis. Together, we can create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive.

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