Public Design Commissions: Urban Space Design Competiton

As part of the Public Design Commissions at Design Doha, and in collaboration with Javier Peña Ibáñez, founder of Concéntrico Festival, we invite architects, designers, and creatives from across the MENASA region to take part in the Urban Space Design Competition—an open call to propose innovative, sustainable, and culturally grounded interventions in Doha’s public realm. This initiative seeks to inspire new ways of thinking about shared urban environments and their potential to foster dialogue, interaction, and community.

Part of Public Design Commissions at Design Doha, The Urban Space Design Competition aims to transform how we inhabit and navigate the city. Through this open call, Design Doha invites proposals for site-specific installations that respond to Doha’s urban fabric and its evolving cultural landscape. From outdoor furniture and playgrounds to open-air libraries and community gardens, submissions may take diverse forms—but all should reflect a commitment to public engagement, contextual relevance, and environmental responsibility.

Selected proposals will have the opportunity to be developed in collaboration with Design Doha and a network of local manufacturers, with the possibility of being realized and presented as part of the 2026 edition of the Design Doha Biennial. This process will bring together designers, institutions, and city stakeholders to collectively shape meaningful, accessible, and lasting contributions to the city’s public space.

By encouraging experimentation, sustainability, and community-focused design, the competition reaffirms Design Doha’s mission to support regional talent and position design as a catalyst for social and urban transformation.

Who can apply

• Individuals and teams based in or from the MENASA region, including architects, designers, urban planners, artists, and interdisciplinary collectives. Emerging professionals and students are also welcome to apply with a mentor or institutional endorsement.

What to submit

• Visual and written materials, including one A2 vertical panel with drawings and renderings, a project description (up to 1000 words), and optional supporting documents (e.g. technical input, letters of support, or video walkthroughs).

Selection process

• Proposals will be reviewed by a committee. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to further develop their concepts in coordination with the Design Doha team.

Project realization

• Selected proposals will have the opportunity to be developed with local manufacturers and may be built and presented during Design Doha 2026.

Support

• Each selected designer will receive a prize of 25,000 QAR. A production budget of up to 120,000 QAR may be awarded, depending on the scale and feasibility of the project.

By encouraging experimentation, sustainability, and community-focused design, the competition reaffirms Design Doha’s mission to support regional talent and position design as a catalyst for social and urban transformation.

https://designdoha.org.qa/en/calendar/urban-space-design-competition/