International Urban Project Award
AWARD
The International Urban Project Award (IUPA) is presented by Bauwelt (Berlin, Germany) and World Architecture Magazine (WA, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China), with the support of BAU China and Messe München.
The award recognizes outstanding recent projects in architecture and urban design that have transformed cities worldwide. It focuses on the interface between architecture and urban space, examining how buildings, urban design, landscape architecture and architectural technology shape cities, activate public space, and contribute to the development of urban neighborhoods. The prize highlights architecture and urban design as social and cultural forces that enhance public space, strengthen civic life, and celebrate urbanity.
One First Prize and three Special Prizes will be awarded. Submissions are open to both architectural and urban development projects.
TOPIC 2026: ARCHITECTURE THAT SPEAKS
Too often, the city feels anonymous, hostile, or even inaccessible. IUPA 2026 highlights projects in which architecture counters homogenisation and gives cities a voice: shaping life, creating identity, and opening places to diverse uses. By responding to local contexts, architecture and urban planning can reveal a site’s latent potential. Strategies may vary: transforming industrial relics to encourage interaction, turning isolated structures into places of character, or opening up closed-off buildings to engage people. The sixth edition of IUPA seeks projects in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design that restore personality and distinctiveness, repurpose obsolete places, and transform introverted environments into memorable ones.
JURY
The jury session will take place in Beijing in September 2026. The jury consists of:
• LI Cundong, Secretary-General of the Architectural Society of China (ASC)
• CAO Jiaming, Vice President of the Architectural Society of China (ASC) / President of the Architectural Society of Shanghai China (ASSC)
• Zhang Li, Vice President of UIA (Region IV), Dean of the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, Professor of Architecture, leader of Atelier TeamMinus, board member of the Architectural Society of China, Editor-in-chief of World Architecture Beijing
• Benedetta Tagliabue, founder of Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, Barcelona (tbc)
• Boris Schade-Bünsow, Editor-in-chief Bauwelt, Berlin
Short Description
The International Urban Project Award (IUPA), presented by Bauwelt and World Architecture Magazine, is now open to submissions. The 2026 edition explores ARCHITECTURE THAT SPEAKS: projects that counter anonymity and give cities a voice. We are looking for built works in architecture, urban design and landscape architecture that connect building and street, repurpose existing structures, and articulate new forms of urban identity.
Organizer
Bauwelt, World Architecture Magazine
Link to Competition
Link to Registration form
Prizes
PRIZE AND CEREMONY
The First Prize will be awarded EUR 3,000; the three Special Prizes will be awarded EUR 1,000 each. The jury reserves the right to allocate the prize money differently. The award ceremony will take place as part of the BAU Congress China in Beijing on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi), Beijing. Travel and accommodation will be covered for the four winners (one representative per prize).
Type of Competition
Open to the public/Minimum requirements (Open to anyone that complies with the requirements), Single stage (Winners selected immediately)
Who can Participate
Projects should be substantially built but need not be fully completed. They should be less than five years old (2022). Projects must be first time entries. A maximum of three projects per office may be submitted. Eligible applicants include architects, urban planners, and landscape architects from around the world, both individuals and teams. Developers may submit projects together with architects. There is no entry fee or any other cost for applicants.
Dates and Time Frame
Registration Closes August 1, 2026
Deadline to Submit Project August 1, 2026
Winners announcement Date October 28, 2026
Languages
English
Location of Competition
Berlin
Additional Information
