Voting has opened on Design Future London, a competition for young people to draw up a beautiful, affordable and sustainable community in the Royal Docks.
The challenge closed in May, with shortlisted entries currently being judged by panels of architecture, planning and construction professionals to find the finalists.
Entrants making the final round will then present their designs to a panel of judges on 5 July at City Hall, with the winners awarded their prize by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
There will also be a prize for the winner of a ‘people’s vote’, with members of the public encouraged to view the shortlist and vote for their favourite here.
“From past experience, I expected to see amazing design talent and imagination come forward, and I was not disappointed,” said one of the judges, George Clarke.
The architect and TV presenter also founded Mobie (Ministry of Building Innovation and Education), a charity “giving young people a voice for the future of homes”.
“I am genuinely wowed by the standard of the work that these young people have produced, it is nothing short of amazing,” Clarke added.
“I really hope taking part in the challenge will inspire many young Londoners to pursue careers in the built environment that will help shape the future of this great city.”
Deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, Jules Pipe, was similarly impressed.
“I have been overwhelmed by the quality of entries to the Design Future London challenge,” he said.
“It has encouraged talented young Londoners to showcase their ideas on how we can shape the future of our great city – from the types of housing and the transport links we need, what our public areas and open spaces should look like, to how we plan for a future of climate challenges.
“All these elements of design come together to enable us to build a better London for everyone – a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”
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