Sketch of a German classical square

HEART OF THE KIEZ
URBAN DESIGN
COMPETITION 2025

Design Your Dream Square –
For the Berlin Region

Your design could help shape a new town centre

— maybe even Germany’s answer to Poundbury.
The winning entries may inspire a real future project in or near Berlin.

Design Brief

This competition is our response to the terrible “squares” of recent years — like the gray concrete desert at Berlin Central Station or the blinking consumerist wasteland at Uber-Platz in Mediaspree.

We want to show: urban squares can once again be lively, beautiful, and humane — places to linger, meet, and enjoy. Places that can last for centuries.

Goal of the Competition

Design a new urban square (max. 100m wide) as the centre of a new neighbourhood.
It can be placed anywhere: either in Berlin (to fill in urban gaps) or in a smaller town nearby (as part of a new development).

Think of it as the starting point for a new community, a new “Kiez” (dense, urban quarter in the Berlin area).

We’re not just looking for “nice”: We want bold, beautiful and timeless — the kind of square that could rival:

  • Berlin’s famed “Kiez” squares: the original designs of Savignyplatz, Kollwitzplatz, Boxhagener Platz, Viktoria-Luise-Platz, Hackescher Markt, Ludwigkirchplatz, Chamissoplatz, Mexikoplatz, etc…

  • Historical inspirations in and around Berlin: Leipziger Platz (historical), Hallesches Tor / Belle-Alliance-Platz, old Potsdam

  • Or even Queen Mother Square in Poundbury (UK).

  • Also look beyond: e.g. Mediterranean plazas/piazzas can provide ample inspiration.

What to include

Your design must include:

  • A plan of the new square (scale 1:1000)

  • An aerial/isometric (top view) drawing or render of the new square

  • An elevation or perspective of at least one side of the square

  • A landmark building: eye-catching, taller (up to 7 floors or a dome/tower), mixed use (including public functions)

Include these features:

  • Mixed-use buildings (shops, cafés, galleries etc. on ground floor)

  • A civic space with fountain(s), greenery, street furniture

  • “Gentle density” — a compact, human-scale layout with perimeter blocks

  • Strong urban identity: makes a statement and will be recognised publicly
     

Drawings can be hand-drawn or digital (no AI-generated work allowed).
Submit high-resolution files (A3 recommended).

Who Can Join?

  • Individuals or groups (up to 3 people)

  • No degree in architecture or urbanism required — passion and vision count!

Deadline: July 1, 2025

Please don’t publish your design before the winners are announced.

Prizes

🥇 1st Place: €1500 + Book + The Aesthetic City Academy
🥈 2nd Place: €1000 + Book
🥉 3rd Place: €500 + Book
🎓 Student & Young Professional Prize
🎖️ Special Awards by our partners (INTBAU, The Aesthetic City, Classic Planning Institute, and more)

How Winners Are Chosen

70% Jury score — based on beauty, recognisability, urban quality
30% Public vote — on a separate platform (anonymously at first)

Submit here

Submit your design via email or Google Form

Got questions? Contact us!
Team on instagram: Liam, Herman, Bart

This competition is organized by: The Aesthetic City & INTBAU Germany

INTBAU Germany