Tactical Urbanism Now! – The Revolution of Public Space
Dezeen Competitions: TerraViva's latest competition tasks designers to explore how temporary architectural interventions can act as powerful tools for testing ideas that benefit public space.
Tactical Urbanism Now! – The Revolution of Public Space aims to find successful projects that rethink how small-scale interventions can reshape the urban experience over time.
Organiser: TerraViva
Competition: Tactical Urbanism Now! – The Revolution of Public Space
Judges:
- Maryam Mahvash, interdisciplinary academic at Emily Carr University of Art and Design
- Mark Balzar, partner of Open Fields
- Cecilia Galimberti, director of the Doctoral Program FAPyD- UNR
- Camilo Palma, co-founder Abarca Palma arquitectos
- Andrea Molina Cuadro, co-founder of Estudio Latente
- Samuel Padilla Llano, dean of the Department of Architecture and Design at CUC Universidad de la Costa
- Lisbet Ahon Vasquez, Phd undergraduate at Sapienza Universitá di Roma
- Diogo Lopez Texeira, co-founder of Hori-zonte
Registration deadline: 30 October
Winner announcement: 30 November
Prizes: the first prize is €5,000, the second prize is €2,000, while the third prize is €1,000. There will also be five golden mentions that will receive a coupon for a free membership. Ten honourable mentions will receive a coupon for a free competition. 30 finalists will be published on TerraViva channels
Competition overview
Participants are invited to explore how temporary, lightweight interventions can act as powerful tools for testing ideas, responding to local conditions and rethinking the future of public space.
Tactical Urbanism NOW! 2026 encourages designers to work with overlooked, underused or contested urban spaces – from traffic-dominated streets and residual plots to overheated plazas, forgotten pathways and fragmented public areas.
By embracing adaptable systems, low-cost materials and participatory approaches, projects should demonstrate how tactical design can generate immediate impact while informing long-term transformation.
Rather than fixed solutions, this competition looks for proposals conceived as prototypes – flexible, testable and rooted in real urban life.
Whether addressing climate stress, reclaiming space for people or strengthening community ties, the goal is to show how small-scale interventions can unlock new possibilities and reshape the urban experience over time.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The competition is open to architects, designers, students, urbanists, engineers, artists, enthusiasts and anyone interested in the fields of design and architecture.
The jury will evaluate all the proposals according to the following principles:
- originality of the concept
- flexibility and multi-functionality
- creative regeneration of the context
- social impact of the proposal
- use of "tactical" techniques
- graphic representation
Projects that express a special sensitivity towards public space and quality architectural solutions will be highly appreciated.
How to enter
Participants are required to submit two A1 panels and a brief text describing the project.
Early submissions will incur a fee of €59, standard submissions €89 and late submissions €129.
Submission deadlines
Early registration is open until 5 June, while standard registrations are open until 25 September.
Late registrations are open to 30 October, with the submission deadline also being on 30 October.
Winners will be announced on 30 November.
About TerraViva
TerraViva is a leading platform dedicated to the organisation of international architecture and design competitions.
The platform connects talented designers around the world with partners and stakeholders looking for high-quality projects to rehabilitate a building, redesign an urban plot or even transform an entire district.
In addition to our focus on architecture, TerraViva also works on graphic design contests, providing a platform for international creatives to showcase their visual communication skills and contribute to innovative projects.
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