This competition involves the urban design of a residential neighbourhood that should be responsive to the objective and subjective needs of 5,000-7,000 residents. Submissions must determine the areas needed for different land uses, propose appropriate urban forms, and take into account both pedestrian and vehicular movement networks. Landscaping should also be considered as an integral part of the design of a good residential neighbourhood.
Through this competition, the following objectives will be sought:
*Reflect the local Arab Muslim society identity through the design of a residential neighbourhood that is responsive to the needs of the Saudi family.
*Strengthen the feeling of belonging to the neighbourhood and reinforce the sense of community among its residents.
*Propose dwelling types that would be responsive to the needs of different living standards.
*Secure the privacy of the family within its dwelling unit.
*Motivate social cohesion among residents.
*Provide for the necessary public services and amenities whether they are educational, socio-cultural, or leisure. A balanced distribution of these services within the neighbourhood and the residential quarter is required.
*Take into consideration the aesthetic aspects of a residential environment through outdoor open space design (trees, pavement, fences, signs, lighting, colours).
*Contribute to neighbourhood security through a hierarchy of urban spaces and land use planning either at the neighbourhood or quarter level. The whole design must lead to vibrant streets and places.
*Take account of residents’ safety through sound planning of structured vehicular and pedestrian networks.
*Take account of economic considerations and sustainability issues through the sound use of land areas and avoid high execution, operational and maintenance costs to the neighbourhood.
*New design ideas can be useful in the planning of new neighbourhoods.
The competition aims also at benefiting those who are involved in the field of urban planning and design in the Kingdom whether they are practitioners or developers in the private or the public sectors. It is hoped that these new design ideas will help rethinking the typical and predominant super-grid block (2kmx2km) that has dominated Arriyadh residential neighbourhood planning.
A jury has yet to be announced consisting of Saudi and international academic professors, professionals and experts in the field of urban design. Students and professionals will have separate juries.
The competition is open to professionals and students (teams or individuals) worldwide. There is no entry fee for students; but professionals must submit SR500. All inquiries must be e-mailed and sent to the Competition Committee in the name of “Head of Technical Committee” during the period indicated in the following schedule.
The registration deadline is May 3, 2006, and the submission deadline is July 22, 2006. For more information, please visit www.housing3udc.com or e-mail [email protected]