CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
William Pol shows examples of analysis panels he will see at the contest.

It’s time to head to the drafting tables and put on those thinking caps – Fanshawe College is welcoming students across Ontario to compete in an urban design contest to be held at the college March 21.

The task: demonstrating urban design skills on hectares of land the old South Street campus of London Health Services Centre used to sit on.

The proposal: a submission of three panels of analysis, ideas and final plan, and a 250-word summary.

The prize: first place receives $2,000, second place receives $1,000, third place receives $500, and there’s a People’s Choice Award as well.

William Pol – urban design instructor at Fanshawe – is heading the contest and says the contest will attempt to help the City of London with ideas of how to change the site in the future, as well as getting student work out there.

Members from the city’s planning department and companies looking to buy the plots of land will be present at the competition in March.

“It’s valuable for the students because professional planners, architects [and] landscape architects will be in the audience,” Pol said. “I’m hoping that seeing the skills of the students – some of the students might get jobs out of it. So it’s promoting the students.”

Pol says the competition will not only benefit the students participating – companies present will see what technology can do nowadays.

“Design students across Ontario are using computers in ways that when I was in the business, I had no idea could be done,” he said. “This is a chance for the professionals to see how new computer applications are being used in the urban design context.”

Twelve to 15 teams will be chosen out of all the applicants who submit their proposals by February 27. Pol and faculty at Fanshawe will do the initial evaluation.

Pol is encouraging his students to submit a proposal because this is as real life as it gets.

“I believe [the contest] will measure up really closely to the real world,” he said. “There are many similar types of competitions that happen across North America and working in teams, working to a deadline, making presentations that have value … as consultants you’ll get the project or you won’t get the project based on your presentation.”

“In this case you’re going to win a prize or not win a prize based on the work that you do.”

It’s also an opportunity for students show their skills and to meet people in the field.

“It gives them an opportunity to show professionals the kind of talents that they have,” Pol said. “I’d encourage them to just meet other students, see what other people are doing. It’s a great way to learn about their careers.”

“Networking is a big part of it.”

Proposals are due February 27, and after Pol and faculty review submissions, 12 to 15 teams will move onto competition day in March.

Email Pol at wpol@fanshawec.ca, call him at 519-452-4430 ext. 4322 or visit www.fanshawec.ca/urp2/designcompetition for more information.