$20,000 in cash prizes up for grabs

Ready to make a real impact in the future of cities and communities? Join the Future Cities Institute and Velocity for the first ever Future Cities Innovation Challenge.  

‍Who: All University of Waterloo students. No experience necessary!
What: A two-week challenge to flex your creativity and problem-solving skills
When: March 10-21, 2025
Why: Your ideas could contribute to the creation of more resilient cities and communities.

What’s in it for you?

• Team up: Collaborate with fellow students to tackle real-world problems in accelerating housing development, harnessing AI for smarter urban transformation, building sustainable infrastructure and advancing sustainable mobility.

• Make friends: Connect with like-minded peers and grow your network.

• Learn from the best: Gain insights and mentorship from housing industry experts from across the country.

• Innovate: Discover groundbreaking ways to create evidence-based scalable solutions that build more resilient communities and cities.

Note: You don't need to have a team to register; you can register as an individual.

Problem spaces

Accelerating housing development

Municipalities face mounting pressure to address the urgent need for expedited housing solutions amid growing affordability challenges and increasing demand. Traditional approval processes often fail to meet the speed and efficiency required to deliver housing within shortened development timelines. How can municipalities transform their approval systems to streamline processes, accelerate timelines, and enable the rapid creation of diverse, affordable housing while maintaining community engagement and high-quality urban design?

Harnessing AI for smarter urban transformation

‍Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative capabilities for municipal operations, enabling more efficient, data-driven decision-making across critical domains such as infrastructure, mobility, and housing. The challenge lies in identifying scalable, equitable, and practical pathways for cities to effectively integrate AI technologies. How can municipalities leverage AI to enhance decision-making, optimize processes, and deliver improved, resident-centered outcomes?

Building sustainable infrastructure

‍Cities need innovative infrastructure solutions that integrate nature-based approaches to address environmental challenges and create more sustainable urban environments. How can municipalities incorporate nature-based solutions into city planning and development?

Advancing sustainable mobility

‍Economic and environmental concerns demand more sustainable and affordable mobility options for cities. How can we create innovative transportation solutions that are both sustainable and economical, addressing the diverse needs of urban populations?‍

How can you be part of it?

Kick-off Event:

🗓️ Monday, March 10

⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 p.m

📍 SCH Cafeteria

• Info and team formation session: Dive into the problem spaces, challenge schedule, prizing, and everything you need to get started.

• Food and refreshments: Enjoy a light dinner while meeting your team and gearing up for the challenge!

Other mandatory events over the two-week challenge include:  

Project Showcase

• Pitch Your Ideas: Present your solutions to a panel of judges. The top eight teams will advance to the finals!

Future Cities Innovation Challenge Finals

• Final Pitch: Compete in front of a live audience and expert judges for a chance to win cash prizes!

$20,000 in Cash Prizes Await!

• Top Three Solutions: $5,000 each
• People's Choice Award: $2,500
• Bonus Prizes: $2,500

Questions? Email us

‍Don’t miss out – Register now