Here's where you can send your design concepts for EDSA rebuild, win P100,000 cash prize
Got ideas on how to make EDSA work for people?
Nonprofit organizations Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, AltMobility PH, and Move As One Coalition are holding a "Rebuild EDSA Challenge," wherein Filipinos are called to submit innovative concepts that transform EDSA into a people-centric, accessible, inclusive, and safe public space.
"EDSA is getting rebuilt. This is our chance to make it work for people, not just cars. Have ideas on how we can rebuild EDSA to be safe, inclusive, and dignified for the thousands who walk, bike, and commute every day?" Move As One Coalition wrote in its caption.
Participants are encouraged to propose design solutions for designated station zones that connect directly to EDSA's outer lanes, taking into account multimodal access, pedestrian safety, active transport, integration with public transportation, and the overall quality of public spaces.
The areas for design include Roosevelt and Cubao in Quezon City, as well as Guadalupe in Makati.
According to the agency, the mentioned areas were chosen as they are "pilot sites" due to their role as key feeder routes, high daily foot traffic, and strategic importance in improving accessibility and multimodal integration along EDSA.
How to participate?
The contest is open to individuals or teams with a maximum of five members. Whether you're a student, a government employee, a private sector worker, a designer, planner, or commuter, you can join as long as you are a current resident of the Philippines and at least 18 years old.
When submitting your entry, please follow the specific template, which can be accessed here.
The agency, similarly, noted that entries are "not expected to be technical blueprints, but rather bold and imaginative proposals that show strong potential to improve EDSA as a corridor for people."
Submission guidelines
All entries must be submitted via the official form on or before August 24, 11:59 p.m. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
A shortlist of entries will be revealed from August 26 to September 1. The final judging will take place on September 5, with the confirmation of the final winners scheduled for September 7.
The award ceremony will take place on September 15.
Criteria for judging
The DOTr also released criteria that interested participants should remember with their designs, including comfort and walkability, inclusiveness and seamless accessibility, safety and security, context-aware and implementable design, as well as user amenities or quality of life features.
Meanwhile, the judging process will consist of two tiers: a shortlisting stage and a final judging stage.
The shortlisting panel will comprise a group of experts in various sectors, including transport planning, architecture, urban design, road safety, active mobility, and public transport advocacy, among others.
The final judging panel, on the other hand, will be evaluated by representatives from local and national government agencies, health and planning professionals, and representatives from civil society.
Prizes at stake
The winners of the design contest will take home cash prizes ranging from P100,000 (Grand Prize), P50,000 (Second Place), and P25,000 (Third Place).
Additionally, a People's Choice Award of P10,000 will be given. Mechanics for this special category will be announced after the submission deadline.
This comes a month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended the EDSA rehabilitation project in June to explore options that would ease the impact on commuters.
"Meron tayong nakita na makabagong teknolohiya na hindi natin ginamit doon sa pagplano ng EDSA rehabilitation. Kaya ininstruksyonan ko si (Department of Transportation) Sec. Vince Dizon at Sec. Manuel Bonoan ng (Department of Public Works and Highways), sinabi ko, pause muna sa rehabilitation," he said during that time.
"Bigyan natin ang sarili natin ng isang buwan, pag-aralan natin itong mga bagong teknolohiya, gumawa tayo ng magandang plano. Baka naman imbis na dalawang taon magawa natin sa anim na buwan, sa isang taon. We will find a better way na hindi masyado mahirap para sa ating commuter," Marcos added.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also canceled the odd-even scheme, which was set for a dry run on June 16. The coding scheme for private vehicles plying EDSA was among the solutions the government planned to minimize traffic along the major thoroughfare.
The EDSA rehabilitation project aims to upgrade and reinforce the pavement of the highway, improve drainage systems in key sections, and lessen the ongoing issue with repeated road reblocking.
***
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that nonprofit organizations organized the challenge, not the Department of Transportation.
