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Guidelines and Rules

The International Urban Studies Olympiad is separated into two parts: Regional and International. 

Regional Round (Essay)

Regions are broken up into the following: 

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  1. North America

  2. South America & Caribbean

  3. Europe, Russia & Central Asia

  4. Middle East & Africa

  5. South Asia & East Asia

  6. Southeast Asia & Oceania

There are many challenges that face urban environments that require well thought out and concise solutions. The regional round evaluates:

 

  • Proposal quality

  • Depth of urban understanding 

  • Feasibility of solutions

  • Consideration for secondary and tertiary elements 

  • Consideration for political and economic implications 

 

Choose one of three prompts. Each urban challenge requires an understanding of urban planning, economics, public policy, sociology, and design to find a solution.

Topics Covered:

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  • Urban Systems and Infrastructure
     

  • Land Use and Zoning
     

  • Environmental Sustainability
     

  • Public Health and Urban Design
     

  • Transportation Networks
     

  • Housing and Affordability
     

  • Urban Sociology and Demographics
     

  • Policy and Governance

Submission Requirements

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  • Cannot exceed 1,000 words
     

  • Must be submitted on time 
     

  • Must be submitted with the Typeform link we will send

Judging Criteria

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  1. Feasibility of proposed solution

    While creativity is encouraged for bold and radical proposals, responses have to be based in reality. Draw from real world applications and best practices.
     

  2. ​Depth of understanding

    Showcase your understanding of the issue by addressing the peripheral concerns as well as the main challenge. 
     

  3. Clarity in Articulation

    Be clear and concise in your explanation​. 
     

  4. Purpose of text

    Ensure every sentence contributes meaningfully to your argument​ with a solid grasp of what you are writing about, therefore demonstrate conviction in your writing.

International Round (Media)

The prompts in the International round invite more creativity because submissions must come in the form of a: video, animation, narrated deck, montage, voice and screen recording, infographic, etc.

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Must include:
 

  • Recap of the problem and updated solution
     

  • Implementation strategy
     

  • Potential impact (social, economic, environmental)
     

  • Visuals, narrative, or demonstration of how it works
     

  • Must have a visual of the student showcasing their

Accepted Formats

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  • AI-generated video

  • Voice-over screen recording or slideshow

  • Animated video

  • Web walkthrough or interactive model

  • Mixed-media storytelling

  • Montage

  • Whiteboard demonstration

  • Powerpoint
     

If there is a presentation format you would like to present in, send us an email of your preferred presentation method and we will take it under consideration.

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See our Resources page for examples.

Submission Requirements:

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  • Presentation must be under 10 minutes
     

  • Submissions must be on time
     

  • Must be submitted with the Typeform link we will send

Judging Criteria for International Round
 

  1. Vision and Structure
    A clear and logical proposal rooted in planning principles and data-driven reasoning.
     

  2. Feasibility and Impact
    Ensure to consider costs, timelines, and real-world constraints.
     

  3. Equity and Access
    Consider the effects on the different demographics of people in the city.
     

  4. Innovation
    Craft unique yet plausible design and policy approaches.
     

  5. Interdisciplinary Thinking
    Integrate geography, design, policy, economics, and sustainability.

Anti-Plagiarism Policy

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Zero Tolerance for Dishonesty


All submissions must be your original work. Any plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, or AI-generated content without disclosure will result in immediate disqualification. We use strict academic integrity tools and expert verification.

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