The ISOCARP Award for Excellence (AfE) rewards plans in design phase as well as projects in progress or already implemented and is open to a wide range of professionals and institutions operating in the domain of urban and regional planning. Participants are invited to submit different tools used in planners’ daily practice like: normative plans, strategic plans, urban plans, urban design projects, urban policies, research works, and software/smart tools facilitating planners. This prestigious award is bestowed in two categories: Grand Award and Merit Award.

Arup; South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, 2025 Grand Award for Excellence Winner
©Riyadh Region Municipality

1. From Wetland Restoration to Value Regeneration: A Collaborative Planning Path for Ecological Governance in Rural Areas of a Megacity by Wuhan Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization Center (NRCU)
2. Resilience and Innovation: Wuhan Airport Avenue Ecological-Industrial-Traffic Composite Corridor Renewal Plan by Wuhan Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization Center (NRCU)
3. Co-consultation, Co-construction, Co-sharing, and Co-winning”——The Planning Practice of Wuhan’s “University Town by Wuhan Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization Center (NRCU)
4. Renewal, Revitalization, and Demonstration Practice of Wuhan Tanhualin Historical and Cultural District by Wuhan Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization Center (NRCU)
5. Digital Twin Standardisation and Applications Development by Arup; South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
6. Riyadh Infrastructure Readiness and Coverage Analysis by Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center
7. Rust-to-Vibrancy: WISCO Cloud Valley 606 Urban Renewal by WUHAN PLANNING & DESIGN INSTITUTE, BEIJING TSINGHUA TONGHENG URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN INSTITUTE
8. SKYTOPIA – Airport Bay Development by Airport Authority Hong Kong and Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited
9. City of Victoria, Industry, Arts & Innovation District Action Plan by DIALOG- Planning and Development Department, City of Victoria
10. HEP2024 – High-Rise Development Plan Frankfurt/Main, Germany by AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH
11. Optics Valley Sky Rail Corridor Integrated Development Plan —— One Sky Rail, One City Transformation by WUHAN PLANNING & DESIGN INSTITUTE, WUHAN INSTITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CO., LTD, WUHAN AND US DESIGN CONSULTING CO., LTD
12. The Collaborated Northern Uplands 2050 by enCity International Consulting JSC and Institute of Water Resources Planning
13. Beibei Historic District: A “Triple-Intelligence Co-Creation” for Regeneration Planning Action by School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, China, Chongqing Zhuheng Urban Planning and Design Co., Ltd, China
14. The Architectural Restoration and Renewal Project of Zhongshan Road Station, Qingdao Metro Line 1, in Harmony with Historical Urban Fabric by College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology
15. The renewal plan of the thousand-year-old ancient city of Shizhongshan Group along the Yangtze River by Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd.
16. Masterplan 2: AlUla Central and South by The Royal Commission for AlUla
17. Cultural Integration and Innovative Practices in the Construction of Nanjing Child-Friendly City by Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design Co., Ltd.
18. Tampelas, from intent to action by PDW Architects

Jury

The jury was formed by experienced practitioners and academics: Markus Appenzeler, Karla Ebenbach, and Ismael Fernandez Mejia

PDW Architects
Tampelas, from intent to action (Realized Project)

In the effort of preventing forest fires and further deforestation, Tampelas village came up with a proposal to utilize their village-owned forest for snakehead fish cultivation. Cultivation of snakehead fish can help keep peat forest land wet, thus avoiding fires. Hearing their aspirations, PDW, Watala, Tata Habitat 7, and team cooperated with RMU and the locals to create infrastructures that will support the program of snakehead cultivation and potentially extract the fish into albumin. Albumin production can increase the product value which would be beneficial for their local economy. The power will be generated by solar power plant as a means of renewable energy. The project is then divided into the physical and empowerment schemes. On the physical scheme, PDW have designed multiple supporting facilities such as the: photovoltaic pavilion (with effective utilizations of the spaces underneath the solar panels), micro albumin industry, flood mitigation multi purpose hall, and the boat jetty. PDW is keen to involve the community during the construction stage up to the operation and management of the facility in the latter stage. This is part of the empowerment scheme and it is crucial to heighten their sense of belonging to the project. With this effort, PDW hopes that the designed pavilion would be utilized with activities that will enrich the local knowledge, tradition, economy, safety, and wellbeing.

Arup; South Development and Sustainable Lantau Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Digital Twin Standardisation and Applications Development (Planned Project)

The Digital Twin Standardisation and Applications Development Project establishes a comprehensive framework for Digital Twin (DT) development in urban planning, bridging international standards with Hong Kong’s specific urban challenges. It introduces a scalable DT Platform template, standardisation guidelines, and tailored analytical applications to address environmental, social, and governance challenges in the city’s New Development Areas. Rooted in the principles of Purpose, Trust, and Function, the Framework promotes data sharing, transparency, and sustainable innovation. The platform enables scenario-based planning, virtual asset monitoring, spatial distribution analysis throughout different stages of city development. Aligned with Hong Kong’s smart city vision, this initiative fosters collaboration among government, industry, and academia, streamlining decision-making and enhancing planning efficiency and resilience. By providing a locally adaptable yet globally compliant benchmark, the project facilitates the city’s advancement in data-driven urban development, ensuring a smarter, more sustainable future for its communities.

DIALOG- Planning and Development Department, City of Victoria
City of Victoria, Industry, Arts & Innovation District Action Plan

The Industry, Arts & Innovation District Action Plan outlines a visionary strategy for creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban district in Victoria’s Rock Bay area. It integrates environmental and socio-economic sustainability through green infrastructure, climate adaptation, and multi-modal mobility. The plan promotes mixed-use development, supports the creative economy, and prioritizes Indigenous economic reconciliation, notably through partnerships with Matullia Holdings. It addresses industrial land pressures, affordability, and community equity via flexible zoning and inclusive engagement. Innovation is central, with adaptive zoning, smart infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration driving economic growth. Designed as a living document, the plan includes robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure responsiveness to evolving needs.

Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to all our ISOCARP Members who submitted an entry.

We look forward to successful AfE submissions the next year, too.