Throughout the world climate change is affecting the conditions of nature and local weather. Most people experience these changes as an imbalance between nature and the human environment. This IFLA student competition, with the theme, “TRANSFORMING WITH WATER, THE WAY TO PARADISE?” seeks to stimulate the discussion about the specific contribution of landscape and urban planning and design to realize a new balance between nature and the human environment.

You are invited to name the (local, regional) problem in nature or the human environment that you are most intrigued with, and to link the problem to a specific site/region. You are asked to invent a new, innovating and inspirational solution for the problem and site. Your ideas should include one or more of the following concepts: utopia, autarchy, paradise, sustainability, self-sufficiency. You will also present plans and designs that reflect your ideas. You are free to use a variety of graphic methods to present your ideas. Part of the challenge is to graphically communicate your work as effectively as possible. Scales are free. You are to add a brief (max.350 words) written summary of the project, including project context, ideas and issues addressed and main features.

The 1st place award of $3500 will be awarded by the landscape architecture firm HAN GROUP KOREA, the 2d place award (the Zvi Miller Prize) of $2500 by IFLA and the 3d place award of $1000 by the host association. Closing date of submission is 1 May 2008. Visit the site to learn more.