Hong Kong – 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, was 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.”

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, visit www.urbaninnovations.com.au.