Europan has decided to make the concept of ADAPTABLE CITY the theme of the Europan 12 session, to be launched in 2013. Adaptability is the quality of a space that can be easily modified in harmony with the changes to which its use is subject or may be subject.Europe’s cities are engaged in a radical transformation: they need urgently to reduce their ecological footprint to help resolve the energy crisis, combat the greenhouse effect and preserve nonrenewable resources. This transformation applies both to their morphology (form) and their metabolism (including all energy expenditure), and is highly dependent on the ways of living they provide. To achieve this, all these changes have to be thought out quickly, and that is why Europan 12 proposes to explore the question of time with a view to making the city more adaptable. This entails, for example, providing new ways of sharing collective space and methods of governance. This requires a chronotypical approach, blending the spatial and temporal dimensions and, for example, establishing temporary projects for spaces. This also means developing a sensitive form of urban planning, where different places can be used at different times, and rethinking the quality of the spaces from that perspective. This raises the question of the “hospitality” of urban spaces and their transparency for users of the city. It is also important to think about intensive development projects, to connect them better with the realities of today’s city. It is also about considering the multiple uses the city, and in particular the question of the sharing and recycling of buildings, to avoid excessive consumption of space and thereby to promote a sustainable city by exploiting time in its full range.

The aim of this International Competition is to design a free standing World Cup Structure in the heart of Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The design should create a social space which includes a live big screenTV, an information area, a cafe, etc...

This competition hopes to achieve the following: Encourage and reward design excellence at a small scale which integrates function, structure, details and the spirit of the World Cup. Research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing an iconic structure that will be used by visitors during the World Cup. Encourage the employment of sustainable design in all aspects of the proposal.

Architects, Architecture Graduated, Engineers and Students. Interdisciplinary teams are also encouraged to enter the Competition. Submissions can be the work of an individual or a group up to 4 members and there is no age limit.

Winning participants will receive prizes totaling *US$ 6,000 *with the distribution as follows: 1st PRIZE: US$ 3,500,  2nd PRIZE: US$ 1,700,  3rd PRIZE: US$ 800 There will also be 7 honorable mentions.