Contents of the competition

What if the cities of tomorrow float on the sea? How can the elegance of the past and the intelligence of today shape a new urban future? Kitakyushu embodies a unique urban narrative spanning nearly a century of design and innovation. The Moji Retro District, with its timeless Art Deco architecture, reflects a rich heritage of craftsmanship and elegance. The Kokura Central Zone stands as a living laboratory of AI-driven smart city technologies and adaptive urban infrastructure. The Hibikinada Offshore Zone represents an open frontier, a site for bold experimentation with floating urbanism and sustainable living on the sea.
As rising seas threaten millions worldwide, we must rethink where and how we live. Kitakyushu’s rich past and smart present form the foundation for a radical future, one where beauty, technology, and resilience merge on water. We challenge you to imagine, design, and build, not just buildings, but new ways of living, connecting, and thriving.
Your ideas could transform Kitakyushu and inspire cities across the globe. Join a global dialogue on climate adaptation, urban innovation, and the aesthetics of the future. Your design will be part of a movement tackling some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

“Design is the bridge between imagination and reality.” Your vision for 2125 starts here.

Competition Site
Hibikinada Offshore Zone: innovative floating solutions connected to the mainland
Participants should consider the spatial and symbolic relationship between
1) The Moji Retro District (1925)
2) The Kokura Central Zone (2025)
3) Hibikinada Offshore Zone (2125)

Organizer
Asian Institute of Low Carbon Design (AILCD)

Theme
1925: Art Deco + 2025: AI Deco = 2125: A? Deco Three Ages of Beauty — One Yet to Shape Our Cities, Structures and Codes