Cities large and small, as well as urban landscapes, are faced with the challenge of developing the built environment in harmony with natural processes. The Europan 18 competition called on young architects and planners across Europe to explore new design strategies and use them to devise projects that make wise use of existing resources – rather than relying on demolition and new construction. Three guiding principles define the E18 competition: natural elements as design partners, new ways of living – different spaces – and building with what is already there.
The aim of the competition was to develop ideas for neglected, derelict, empty, stigmatised or single-purpose urban spaces, with a view to transforming them back into vibrant, inclusive and mixed-use urban spaces. To this end, 804 projects were submitted from 47 locations across 12 countries in Europe. Germany was represented by the locations of Speichersdorf and Regensburg, for which 252 participants from 19 countries submitted entries. The winners were selected on 24 October 2025 by a national jury with international members, chaired by Dr Elisabeth Merk (University of Florence), Head of Urban Planning for the City of Munich.
Regensburg
site For the site in Regensburg, the brief called for a concept for a mixed-use, low-traffic neighbourhood that is as climate-neutral as possible, designed for 5,000 residents. The aim is to create affordable housing by filling a gap in the northern part of Regensburg. The aim is to create a ‘15-minute city’.
1st prize: Zam wachsn – Mara Foerster with Hannah Andree, Maxima Schad, Johanna Kern, Moritz Molitor, Susanne Weppler, Sabeth Rosenbrück
Speichersdorf
site For the site in Speichersdorf, a municipality with a population of around 6,000, a viable concept was sought for the sensitive conversion of the existing municipal festival hall, which dates from the 1960s. In addition, exemplary solutions were to be found for the municipal area that would strengthen the community’s resilience in the face of demographic change, economic upheavals and the effects of climate change.
1st prize: Restorative Productive Spaces – Hikari Masuyama, Lorenz Junge, Justus Pleil
The national awards ceremony will take place on 5 December 2025 at the Aedes Architekturforum on Pfefferberg in Berlin.
International Europan Competition E18
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