In this challenge, participants are invited to tackle real urban issues—like flooding, traffic congestion, and inequality—by modeling city segments using interactive digital tools.

As cities across Asia and the Pacific rapidly evolve, many challenges remain hidden or feel too complex to solve. By visualizing these problems, participants can break them down into clear, shareable models that spark awareness and fresh ideas.

This challenge aims to empower individuals from any background to explore solutions, share bold ideas, and help shape more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities for the future.

Themes

• Shape your model around one of the following themes:
  • Mobility & Transport: Make movement safer, greener, smarter especially during disruptions.
  • Green Spaces: Use nature to protect the city and improve well-being.
  • Waste & Water: Show how cities can manage trash, floods, and clean water in ways that safe and reliable under pressure.
  • Inclusion & Accessibility: Design for women, children, persons with disabilities, and underserved communities.
  • Technology & Innovation: Use smart solutions to anticipate problems, connect people, or speed up recovery.

Benefits

• Contextual Learning: Gain hands-on insight into real urban challenges—framed within the context of your chosen city and theme.
• Career Boost: Strengthen your portfolio with competition-based work that demonstrates creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Recognition: Earn an award and the chance to be publicly featured across ADB platforms and events.
• Real-World Impact: Top ideas may inform future programs, policies, or collaborations—amplifying your voice in city-shaping conversations.
• Networking Opportunities: Selected entries may be showcased to urban experts, planners, and ADB partners in future learning exchanges or dialogues.
• Join a Community of City Builders: Connect with like-minded participants across the region who share your passion for building better cities and reimagining urban futures.
• Exceptional entries may receive further exposure, certificates, or opportunities for collaboration.

Program Specifications

• Choose a City to Reimagine: Pick one of these cities to base your model on: Manila, Shanghai, Jakarta, New Delhi, Karachi, or Suva. Your design should respond to real challenges faced by that city today.
• Share Your Idea: Use your choice city-building platform to create a model based on your chosen city and theme then submit your idea as a 2-minute portrait video or 2-page write-up.

Eligibility Criteria

• While the challenge is open to the general public, criteria for shortlisting of finalists requires participants and teams to be from ADB member countries. Eligible Participants may be single authors or teams composed of multiple persons. The Challenge will actively seek to engage Participants from:
  • Startups
  • University Students and Faculty
  • Research Organizations and Independent Researchers
  • Corporate Partners

Evaluation Criteria

• Participants Submissions will be judged according to following parameters:
  • Creativity & Originality
  • Relevance to Theme
  • Technical Excellence
  • Clarity & Communication
  • Feasibility

Application Requirements

• Your submission must include:
  • A visual representation of your proposed solution in video or article format
  • A short write-up or explanation of the challenge, design, and outcome
  • You are not required to submit your digital model file, but you must keep it in case they request further proof of work
  • You can only submit one entry.

For more information, visit Asian Development Bank.