2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards

2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards is now open for entries!

2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards : The 2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards now is announced and will soon opened for entries with the introduction of the competition brief inviting students to propose innovative, inclusive, and sustainable redevelopment strategies that address Philadelphia’s economic, social, and environmental needs thinking boldly about the future of the site.

➜ Short description

The 2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards now is announced and will soon opened for entries with the introduction of the competition brief. Founded in 2006 in memory of Philadelphia’s iconic 20th-century city planner, Edmund N. Bacon [1910-2005], this annual program honors both professionals and students whose work epitomizes excellence in urban design. Each year, a professional who has made significant contributions to the field of urban planning – through conviction of vision, effective communication, and commitment to improving their community – is selected to receive the Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Award. This year’s competition site at the former University of the Sciences (USciences) campus in West Philadelphia represents a rare and transformative opportunity for urban redevelopment. USciences was the first institution of its kind in the nation, shaping the fields of pharmacy, science, and healthcare for over two centuries. The campus, woven into the fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods, played a vital role in the community’s economic and cultural landscape.

Students are invites to propose innovative, inclusive, and sustainable redevelopment strategies that address Philadelphia’s economic, social, and environmental needs thinking boldly about the future of the site.

➜ Who may enter?

The competition is open to all college/university students of any discipline and academic level (undergraduate, graduate and doctoral) who are actively matriculating at a collage or university during the fall 2025 or spring 2026 or spring 2026 semesters (1 August – 31 May)

➜ Prize:

The First Prize Award for 2026 is $5,000. Additional honorary (non-monetary) prizes will be awarded at the juror’s discretion.

➜ Entry fees:

The entry fee is $25 per submission.