The International Union of Architects has many years of experience overseeing and assisting in the organisation of international competitions in architecture and urban planning. In 1956, delegations of practicing architects from all over the world drew up a set of standard regulations for international competitions in architecture and urban planning, which UNESCO subsequently ratified. The framework and objectives embodied in the UNESCO Regulations have endured for more than sixty years, prioritising equal treatment, transparency, qualified adjudication, quality and innovation. The experience and authority conferred on UIA by UNESCO allows us to serve as a reference in terms of ethics and prestige in the realm of international architecture and urban planning competitions. Support from the UIA gives organisers access to architects and architecture students as well as to media and professional institutions worldwide.
Quality competitions, quality architecture since 1956
The UIA promotes excellence in architecture, sustainability and cultural diversity. Student and professional international architecture competitions endorsed through the UNESCO-UIA International Competitions Programme have taken place all over the world and have resulted in some of the most iconic edifices of the 20th century. The experience and authority conferred upon the UIA by UNESCO in 1956 allow us to serve as a reference in terms of ethics in the realm of architecture and urban planning competitions globally.
The UIA also advises on the organisation of international architectural prizes. Launched by public or private organisms these prizes spotlight specific architectural realisations, materials, technologies, themes, or research. UIA-endorsed architecture prizes have taken place all over the world.
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Greece
The UIA endorsed ArXellence 2, an open, one-stage, international ideas competition for the Design of the New Central Business District of Thessaloniki, Greece. The competition was organised by ALUMIL S.A., an international company dealing in aluminium and advanced architectural aluminium systems based in Greece. Its goal was to contribute to the regeneration of a declining urban area of Thessaloniki by presenting innovative designs for the new central business district.
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Russia
The UIA endorsed the international competition for the architectural landscape design concept of Tuchkov Buyan Park in Saint Petersburg (Russia). Architects and landscape designers from all countries were invited to submit their expressions of interest for this single-stage restricted competition.
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Slovenia
The urban regeneration project linking the Italian city of Gorizia with the Slovenian city, Nova Gorica, and creating a shared central area to be known as Europe Square – Piazzale Della Transalpina and the hub EPICenter, was conducted as part of a campaign for the title of 2025 European Capital of Culture (ECoC).
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Lithuania
The UIA endorsed the international architectural design competition for the National Concert Hall in Vilnius, Lithuania. Architects from all over the world were invited to design one of the most important future spaces in the capital city of Lithuania and to submit their proposals to the Vilnius City Municipality.
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Lebanon
The International Architectural Design Competition for the Knowledge and Innovation Center in Tripoli, Lebanon was managed by the Lebanese Federation of Engineers and Architects on behalf of the Tripoli Special Economic Zone and the Government of the Republic of Lebanon.
The invited international, two-phase project competition was launched in March 2018 to identify the best and most environmentally-friendly solution for a mixed-use office space in the heart of the “European Quarter” in Brussels demarcated by streets Rue de la Loi, Rue de Spa, Rue Joseph II and the Chausée d’Etterbeek.
Region II - Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East | Kuwait
The UIA endorsed the international, restricted two-phase architecture competition for the design of the new headquarters for the Kuwait Foundation of Sciences (KFAS), a private, non-profit organisation dedicated to progress and to the advancement of the society through science and technology.
The competition aimed to promote and celebrate the history and culture of Dodo Island and General Yi Sa-bu, and thus sought a creative and specialised space through a modern display of historical facts.
This competition was approved by the International Union of Architects (UIA) and followed the UIA-UNESCO regulations and the UIA guide.
Keywords : Cultural rehabilitation, Heritage, Remembrance
The Korea Racing Authority (KRA), the client, wishes to construct “LetsRun Park Yeongcheon”, a theme park incorporating a racetrack in Yeongcheon. Gyeongsangbuk-do Province that will hopefully become a local attraction […]
The Egyptian Ministry of State for Urban Renewal and Informal Settlements (MURIS) and the Governorate of Cairo organized an international competition by invitation for the development and design of the master plan of the Maspero triangle district, with an area of 35 ha in downtown Cairo.
The goal of this competition was to inspire an urban design that exemplifies community diversity, showcases heritage, protects the environment and preserves the diversity of its residents.
