Seoul Design Foundation Announces 'Human City Design Award' Contest... Special Prize for COVID-19 'Safety and Security' Established

Grand Prize 1 Team 50 Million KRW, Excellence Award 10 Teams 5 Million KRW
Special Award Established... 'Safety and Security Award' for Designs Protecting Urban Safety in the COVID Era, 'Citizen Award' Selected by Citizens

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Design Foundation announced on the 3rd that it will hold the "3rd Human City Design Award," which honors designers and organizations (teams) who have contributed to solving various urban problems with creative solutions and creating a better world.

This year, the foundation has significantly expanded the scope of the competition, which was previously focused on urban, spatial, and environmental fields, to cover all areas of design. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 era, it has established a new "Safety and Security Award" to highlight designs that have provided practical support for citizens' lives and safety.

First, the competition categories have been broadened this year. Whereas previously it was limited to projects revitalizing cities such as urban regeneration, from now on it will encompass all design-related fields including product, visual, digital and multimedia, space and systems, experience, service, and social design.

Moreover, special awards have been introduced. The Safety and Security Award and the Citizen Award will be given as special prizes. The "Safety and Security Award" is presented to one design work (team) that has protected the city safely from infectious diseases, natural disasters, and crime. For example, designers or teams who have wisely overcome the COVID-19 crisis and demonstrated insight and wisdom in preparing for the post-COVID era could be strong candidates for this award.

The "Citizen Award" is given to one team selected by citizens through direct voting among 10 finalist teams chosen by expert judges. Candidate interviews and presentations will be broadcast online, allowing citizens to make their selection.

The Seoul Design Foundation will accept submissions for the "2021 Human City Design Award" from next month 1st until the end of October. Applications can be submitted through the Human City Design Award website. The judging criteria include problem-solving of urban life through design, expansion of global values, and presentation of future visions.

Professional judges will select 10 finalist teams through first and second rounds of evaluation. These teams will receive honorable mentions (excellence awards) and prize money (5 million KRW). After the third round of judging, the final grand prize winner (one team) will be awarded a trophy and prize money (50 million KRW). The award ceremony is scheduled for March 21 next year.

Joo Yong-tae, Acting CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, stated, "The design spirit pursued by the Human City Design Award is to solve various urban problems through citizens' cooperation and solidarity using design." He added, "We plan to develop the Human City Design Award into one of the world's top five design awards through design values such as creativity and innovation, sustainability, public and shared interests, participation and cooperation, and the positive impact on life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.