What is the D Word Challenge?
Around the world, proposals to increase the housing density* often attract intense backlash from certain people. Sometimes people fear change and understandably worry about congestion, noise, a loss of privacy and space, and overcrowded resources like parks, hospitals and shops. But this isn't the case when density is done well.
The Committee for Sydney, an urban policy think tank that works to solve our city's biggest problems, wants to shift the public perception around density. We want to get people to enthusiastically support density done well. But how can we do this when density: a) can have a negative reputation; and b) doesn't particularly sound cool or exciting? Think about it – would the average person know what density even means?
This is where you come in. We need brilliant minds from architecture, urban design, communications, media and marketing to come together and think of a public campaign, with different ways of talking about density, that will get Sydneysiders to change their mind and enthusiastically support it.
What's in it for you?
Each student participant receives:
- $100 VISA e-voucher
- Invitations to the Committee for Sydney's member-exclusive events for one year
- A reference letter and certificate
- Opportunity to work with and seek feedback from industry experts on the day
- An image gallery with individual headshots and workshop photos
Who should apply?
ADA students who are passionate about using creative problem solving to address complex social issues. Expertise in urban planning or communication is great, but not essential – passion and ideas are more important!