Scholarship Competition 2021
Planning the Future of Suburbia
Sustainable and attractive living concepts in small towns
Rising rents, less space, too many people: The attraction of big cities is starting to wear thin for millennials. More and more young people are moving to the suburbs for a quieter and cheaper way of life. This could be an age of suburban revival - but what will continue attracting younger generations to live in small towns into the future? And how can these suburban centers accommodate this new population in a smart, sustainable, and efficient manner? We invite students, trainees, and recent graduates to apply for a merit-based scholarship by answering the question: How can small towns encourage sustainable growth and attract younger generations? What measures would affect the modernization, attractiveness, and livability of suburban areas?
Dear applicants, the ZIEGERT scholarship has now ended. Congratulations to our winner, Julia Treichel from Munich, whose concept "Ein Net(t)zwerk für die Kleinstadt" ("A network for the small town") thoroughly impressed our jury. We would like to thank all participants for submitting the numerous, creative and often surprising essays and presentations.
Scholarship winners will receive:
€2,000 cash prize
The winner of the challenge will be presented with a €2,000 scholarship.
Exclusive interview
We will feature the scholarship recipient for an exclusive interview on our blog and social media channels.
Present to our expert jury
The chosen winner will have the opportunity to present his or her idea to our expert panel.
Moving away from the big city
Over the last 18 months, the world has seen a dramatic shift in how people live and work. Restaurants and cultural attractions closed, the corporate office was replaced by home-office, and meet-ups with friends and family became online-only. This pandemic-influenced shift to digitalization has led to many re-evaluating the necessity of living in big cities. With no need for a tedious commute, more people are deciding to leave busy city centers and relocate to surrounding suburbs, or moving back to their small hometowns. This prompts new questions about the attractiveness of small towns and suburban areas. With this influx of younger generations looking to escape the rising rents and lack of space in big cities, sustainable growth of smaller cities and suburban centers is becoming vital.
Maintaining suburban growth
Sustainable urban development is still an issue for many small towns across Germany. Challenges faced by city developers and planners alike include figuring out how to lower energy and resource consumption, efficiently use existing space, and develop a reliable infrastructure - in addition to providing a high quality of life and attractive spaces for city-dwellers used to the high life. How can suburbia thrive without inevitably damaging the allure that led young city-dwellers to move there to begin with? How can small towns be attractively designed for young generations in a modern and sustainable way?
How to apply
The Challenge
Submission
Essay tips
Requirements
Scholarship Timeline
Application Start
Applications may be submitted electronically from Monday, July 5, 2021.
Rolling Assessment
Essays and presentations will be assessed by our jury on an ongoing basis during the admission period.
Submissions deadline
All applications must be submitted no later than Monday, October 4, 2021, at noon.
Announcement of winner
The winner of the scholarship will be announced on Friday, October 8, 2021.
Application requirements
Meet the team
Prof. Dr. Marcus Menzl
is head of Urban Planning in the department of Civil Engineering, specialising in Sociology of the Built Environment.
Ina Schulze
is an expert in the written word as a senior texter.
Michel Jenny
is an architect with a focus on urban development.
Simon Lipinski
specializes in design as a Senior Art Director.
Monika Glaser
is a sustainable development academic with a focus on a conscious approach to the environment.