Perceptions of public and private, and of personal and social relationships are on the verge of major changes, along with ideas about membership and ownership, and the structure of society itself. “Public space” can be conceived as a site for the overlap of varied domains, as a place of freedom and potential beyond the reach of distinctions such as private vs. public, where the borders between domains recede. It could well be called the location in the city of the future where changes in the structure of society will be most evident.

What kind of changes will affect our lives in the year 20XX? Among those changes, some will be limited to certain regions, and some will be global in scope, taking place regardless of city or countryside, domestic or foreign. Some may lead to the rediscovery of culture or other universal, unchanging values that were nurtured as cities developed.

While visualizing actual cities and places, envision activities that could emerge as a result of structural changes in society, leading to richer and more attractive cities. Imagine the relations between people, spaces and areas, and the systems and mechanisms that will make those activities possible. Design a “public space in 20XX”.

Entry is open broadly to applicants regardless of where they live, in Japan or abroad. Entries can be made as a group or as an individual. Domestic entries must be postmarked by December 10, 2019. Overseas entries must arrive at the competition office no later than December 10, 2019. The competition will be judged by Takayuki Kishii, Ryue Nishizawa, Takeshi Kito, Eriko Ozaki, and Tadao Kamei.

Learn more here.