Design Future London

This challenge encourages young Londoners to learn more about their local area. Think about what it already offers. What might be missing?  How it can be improved? How do you see it evolving or being improved in the future for the community?

We would like you to create your design solution based around a central statement:

Think about the local area in which you live – your neighbourhood and your town centre. How can we build a better London for everyone – making it a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners?

Each age group has a different challenge brief based around this.

You can work individually or as part of a team of up to 5 people to develop and design your ideas and have from September to end of January 2024 to produce your final submission.

There are four age groups, 5-11, 11-15, 16-18 and 19-24+ and entries will be judged and shortlisted by a panel of experts once the competition closes. The 19-24+ age group will be launched in October 2023.

In previous years, students have completed the project as part of IT/digital skills, art, geography, engineering, business or design and technology syllabuses.

There will be a range of prizes. This year, prizes included book tokens, an experience day in the City of London, funding for school equipment and work experience.

Take a look at last years finalists and more information.

• Digital teacher/student packs to include 6 lesson plans, homework and a full pack of resources.
• Case studies detailing how teachers have already delivered the challenge, including feedback from students on the positive outcomes of being involved.
• Access to a platform of industry volunteers from whom teachers can request support for the classroom. You can also enrole a STEM Ambassador  to engage with STEM/STEAM professionals who may support an element of your programme.
• Licences for Minecraft Education are available with a support pack alongside free access to Esri ArcGIS.
• And lots more … 

• A member of staff to coordinate students
• Support for students entering Design Future London, including a minimum amount of time in school/college lessons or a club.

For example, in a six to eight week period, you might include between one and two guided learning hours with one or two independent learning hours per week. It will depend on your students and time availability.
 

All primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities within Greater London.

Youth groups, faith groups, charities or other youth organisation

We welcome teams from youth groups, faith groups or youth charities. Individuals that want to take part are welcome too. All participants must be in the age range of 5-24+ even if they're not in full-time education.
 

We have a range of case studies from teachers, students and mentors.

What’s in it for students?

• Opportunity to develop core skills - communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, digital skills in responding to a design brief.
• Access to mentors who include professionals from the built environment sector. Whatever your students are passionate about, interested in or good at, there will be a place for them in creating and improving London’s built environment in future. 
• Prizes for winners and runners-up in each age group.

Design Future London uses London's future growth and design to inspire young people to develop their confidence and skills. These include team working, communication, project and time management, plus analytical, research, creative, numeracy and literacy skills.

Students develop real world skills during the project including teamwork, leadership, research, communication, organisation and project management.
 

Participation will meet 3 or more of the 8 benchmarks. The Careers and Enterprise Company rate this type of activity as having one of the highest impacts in careers advice provision.