Next City Event: Vanguard Australia Big Idea Challenge

The 2017 Next City Vanguard Australia Conference will bring 50 urban leaders to Newcastle, Australia, from November 6 to November 10 – leaders who are working to improve cities across different sectors, including urban planning, community development, transportation and more.

The Big Idea Challenge is a competition that will provide an opportunity for the Vanguards to leave a lasting impact on Newcastle as the conference’s host city. Vanguard teams will compete to provide local leaders with visionary adaptive reuse strategies for two vacant historic landmarks in downtown Newcastle. Both sites — a former post office and the former Newcastle Station — are now being reimagined by local leaders as key development sites on fast-growing commercial corridors. Teams will marshal their own expertise, their newly acquired skills and local knowledge to work together to articulate a specific problem to tackle and co-design solutions.

On Thursday, November 9, beginning at 6 p.m., the Vanguards present their pitches to Newcastle community members — including city and community representatives — at an event open to the public.

A judging panel will select the winning idea. Presentations will be evaluated on creativity, feasibility, community impact and overall delivery.

The event is free for the public. Please register to attend.