Two CUET teams claimed first and second place in Bangladesh’s Carbon Conscious Urban Design Competition, showcasing innovative, climate-resilient proposals for sustainable public spaces, while BUET secured third position.
Two teams from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) secured the top two positions while a team from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) finished third in the Carbon Conscious Urban Design Idea Competition 2026, with their proposals offering innovative visions for a greener and more climate-resilient future for Dhaka.
The winners were announced on Thursday by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK).
The competition was organized under the “Transforming the Built Environment Through Sustainable Materials in Bangladesh” project, a joint initiative of UNOPS, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-Habitat and RAJUK in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The competition invited students from universities across Bangladesh to rethink public spaces through climate-conscious urban design, aiming to identify innovative and practical solutions for sustainable urban development. Participants presented proposals integrating ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, low-carbon construction materials, water-sensitive urban planning and inclusive public spaces.
A jury comprising national and international experts in architecture, urban planning, engineering and sustainable development evaluated 36 design proposals submitted by teams from 12 universities.
According to the jury, the participating teams successfully combined creativity, technical excellence and practical solutions in their proposals, demonstrating ideas that could contribute to healthier, people-centered and climate-resilient urban environments.
The first prize went to CUET’s Team “Burn/Breathe” for its proposal titled “The Receding Membrane,” which outlined plans to restore an abandoned waterbody and transform it into an environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive public space. The project also received the Excellence in Presentation Award.
The second prize was awarded to CUET’s Team “Unit Five” for its proposal, “Saturate: An Urbanscape That Returns Water to Earth.”
The third prize went to BUET’s Team “West Line” for its proposal titled “Memories of Bengal: An Ecology of Belonging in the Urban Fabric.”
In addition to the main awards, four special recognitions were presented. North South University’s Team “Vanguard Urbanists” received the Low-Carbon Public Space Award. Khulna University’s Team “Chhaya” won the Climate-Resilient and Disaster-Ready Public Space Award. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s Team “Aranyak” received the Inclusive and Accessible Public Space Award. The first-place project also earned the Excellence in Presentation Award. A total prize fund of Tk 1 million will be distributed among the winning teams.
According to the organizers, the competition forms part of broader efforts to encourage innovative thinking among future architects, planners and designers while promoting low-carbon and resource-efficient built environments in Bangladesh. It also aims to advance climate-resilient urban development through nature-based solutions, sustainable construction materials and inclusive design.
Congratulating the winning teams and all participants, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam and UNOPS Bangladesh Country Manager praised the high quality of the submitted proposals. They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting innovative initiatives that can contribute to Bangladesh’s sustainable urban development agenda.
The organizers said details of the official award ceremony will be announced later.
