ADB City Builders Challenge: Reimagining Urban Futures

Join the challenge and turn real urban problems into bold, visual solutions—use interactive digital tools to reimagine city spaces and help shape the sustainable, livable cities of tomorrow!

group

Teams of
1 - 3 people

What is a City Builder?

City builders are digital platforms that put you in the shoes of a mayor. You design roads, manage services, and solve real urban problems—like traffic, pollution, and housing.

City builders help people understand how cities work by letting them build their own. They’re not just games—they’re tools for exploring how we live, move, and grow.

What is Urban Resilience?

Urban resilience is the ability of a city to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions such as floods, heatwaves, or other challenges. A resilient city keeps people safe, services running, and communities connected during difficult times.

Building better cities also means building resilient cities. Better cities are not just efficient and functional. They are fair, adaptable, and ready for the future. They improve daily life while helping people and systems recover and grow stronger after setbacks.

Urban Systems and Resilience Themes

Cities are made up of interconnected systems—change one, and you impact them all. In this challenge, your digital model should focus on one of these key themes:

Mobility & Transport Networks

How people move around a city affects their safety, daily routines, and access to jobs, schools, and healthcare. When roads flood, traffic stalls, or public transport fails, everything slows down. A strong mobility system helps people keep moving even when the city faces disruptions

Try thinking about: How can transport systems support safe and reliable movement, especially during emergencies?

Green Spaces

Trees, parks, and gardens offer more than beauty. They cool the air, absorb floodwater, clean pollution, and give people space to rest and connect. In times of crisis, these natural areas can reduce risks and bring people together.

Try thinking about: How can green spaces improve climate resilience and support the health of communities?

Waste & Water Management

Water and waste systems are essential for city life. But when it rains too hard, drains overflow. When there’s a drought, water runs short. When systems break down, it affects health, safety, and the environment. 

Try thinking about: How can waste and water systems stay clean, safe, and functional even during floods, shortages, or emergencies?

Social Inclusion & Accessibility

Not everyone experiences the city in the same way. Women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups often face more barriers and risks. Designing with these groups in mind leads to cities that are safer and more welcoming for all.

Try thinking about: How can your idea make sure no one is left behind?

Technology & Innovation

Technology can help cities prepare for risks, respond faster, and recover more effectively. This can include using sensors to track water levels or air quality, apps that guide people during emergencies, or automated systems that manage traffic or resources.Propose ways to use sensors, apps, or automation to improve how a city works. Use your imagination to show what’s possible.

Try thinking about: How can you model the use of sensors, apps, or automation to improve how the city works during normal times and in moments of disruption?

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