Winning team: EcoNexo

Team members: Lauren Martelo, Michely Jimenez | University of the Coast
Advisor: Julian Caicedo, Architect

The ECONEXO team developed a proposal to advance urban resilience in Freetown through innovative, context-sensitive design. Central to their project is a cable car infrastructure integrated with green roofs and gardens, addressing both mobility challenges and environmental priorities.

Their design demonstrates a deep understanding of Freetown’s historical, social, and demographic context, ensuring interventions are practical, locally relevant, and socially inclusive. By combining transport innovation with green infrastructure, the project strengthens neighbourhood connectivity, enhances ecological performance, and supports long-term urban resilience. ECONEXO’s approach exemplifies how youth-led, research-driven solutions can contribute to more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient cities.

Congratulations to all teams that participated! Check out the documentation tab to view the winning team's proposal. 

Special mention, Second Place | EcoLift, Milton Margai Technical University

Team members: Jonathan Wray, John Lahai, Fayia Moseray, Abdulai Bangura, Ibrahim Kuyateh, Alhassan Barrie, Kabba Sowa, Munafar A Kamara, Hannah Banya, Philip Samai, Abu Kargbo, Emmanuel Samuel Campbell

Advisor: Mr. John. M. Kamara, Head of Department- Automobile Engineering, Milton Margai Technical University

Presentation of the site

Eastern Police is named after the nearby Eastern Police Station, a key landmark and administrative hub. The area is characterised by its high levels of activity, serving as a convergence point for trade, transportation, and social interactions. Eastern Police neighbourhood has been chosen as a location for a cable car station as part of Freetown’s pilot cable car project This location has been selected due to its dense population of traders and shoppers, making it one of the busiest areas in Freetown. 

The area serves as a major economic engine for the city, providing livelihoods for countless small business owners and traders. However, it also faces challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and poor sanitation. These issues can hinder the area’s potential and affect the quality of life for those who work and shop there.

The aim of this challenge is for students to develop a preliminary design concept for the Eastern Police cable car station, harnessing this new development as an opportunity to regenerate the surrounding area.

Approx. site area: 

• The land area of the station is approx. 1.410 m2.

The project area sees tens of thousands daily, employs thousands of informal traders (majority aged 18–45, many women), and faces traffic congestion and waste disposal issues. 

Through this challenge, students are invited to develop a design for the new Eastern Police cable car station whilst improving its surroundings on Sanni Abacha Street.  Designs should prioritise pedestrian access to the station, waste management and drainage to prevent flooding, as well as introducing green spaces. 

These efforts are expected to boost economic activities, improve living conditions, ensure equal access to the cable car station, and make the area more attractive to both locals and visitors.