Edmund N. Bacon Student Urban Design Award

The Edmund N. Bacon Student Urban Design Award is part of an annual program founded in 2006 in memory of Philadelphia's iconic 20th-century city planner, Edmund N. Bacon. The student design competition attracts undergraduate and graduate students from around the globe and focuses on an area or location in Philadelphia. Students are challenged to present bold ideas that will improve the area, while prioritizing community needs as a core tenet of design excellence. The 2026 competition focuses on the former University of the Sciences (USciences) campus in West Philadelphia, which represents a rare and transformative opportunity for urban redevelopment. USciences was the first institution of its kind in the nation, shaping the fields of pharmacy, science, and healthcare for over two centuries. With St. Joseph's University having acquired and then opting to sell the entire campus, this historic site presents an opportunity for reimagining a dynamic urban area. Students are invited to propose innovative, inclusive, and sustainable redevelopment strategies that address Philadelphia's economic, social, and environmental needs, thinking boldly about the future of the site. The competition requires multi-disciplinary design teams and includes a workshop on community engagement strategies. The winner is honored with the Edmund N. Bacon Student Urban Design Award at an awards ceremony in Philadelphia.