For over 40 years, the German Urban Development Award—endowed with €25,000 in total prize money—has championed innovative, forward-thinking planning and urban development. Established by the German Academy for Urban and Regional Development (DASL) and supported by the Wüstenrot Foundation, it continues to shape the future of cities.

The German Urban Development Award recognizes outstanding urban development projects that advance contemporary urban culture through sustainable and innovative design. Winning projects demonstrate how to meet today's demands for modern lifestyles while thoughtfully addressing public spaces, resource conservation, and stewardship of local and urban character.

The special prize functions as an idea generator, spotlighting critical challenges in urban development and planning. For 2025, the special prize theme is "Adaptive Reuse in the Circular City."

Submissions are open until 30 September 2024 for urban development projects completed after 1 January 2019 in locations throughout Germany. Concept and design work may predate this. Partially realized projects are eligible if the completed sections adequately demonstrate the overall vision.

Projects are evaluated on their urban functionality, spatial design, social impact, and architectural quality—particularly their success in enhancing the built environment for residents and workers. Winning projects must demonstrate integrated approaches and exemplary collaboration between public and private partners. The evaluation process itself values successful cooperation as much as the final outcome.

www.staedetebaupreis.de