• University of Plymouth campus

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&  Friday 20 November 2026, time TBC
(  On campus
Can you design the city of tomorrow?
Imagine you have been awarded funding to build a brand-new city for 100,000 people.
How will people travel? What technologies will support everyday life? How can you ensure your city is sustainable, inclusive and resilient for future generations?
At Extraordinary Challenges: Smart Cities, students will work alongside University of Plymouth academics to tackle one of the most important questions facing our world: how do we create places where people and the planet can thrive together?
Through a series of interactive workshops, hands-on activities and specialist facility visits, students will explore how disciplines including urban planning, geography, architecture and digital technologies contribute to the design of future cities.
The challenge
Working in teams, students will be tasked with designing a brand-new smart city for 100,000 people. Their proposals must consider:
  • Transport and mobility
  • Housing and public spaces
  • Energy and infrastructure
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Community wellbeing
  • Technology and innovation
By the end of the day, teams will pitch their ideas to a panel of academics and compete to be crowned the creators of the most innovative smart city.
What will students experience?
Throughout the day, students will:
  • Explore how smart technologies are transforming urban life.
  • Investigate the social and environmental challenges facing modern cities.
  • Experience university-style learning through interactive academic workshops.
  • Visit cutting-edge facilities including digital fabrication, immersive media and research laboratories.
  • Discover how different subject areas collaborate to solve real-world problems.
  • Develop valuable teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
How the day will unfold
The event begins with an introduction to the concept of smart cities and the challenge students will tackle throughout the day. Participants will then take part in a series of interactive workshops exploring how cities are planned, designed and developed to meet the needs of growing communities.
Following lunch, students will hear from a University academic on digital environments and emerging technologies before visiting a range of specialist facilities and laboratories to see innovation in action. This practical element of the day will help students understand how research, technology and creative thinking combine to address urban challenges. 
The day concludes with teams presenting their smart city proposals, followed by judging and awards for the most innovative solutions.

.  Book your place

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Most of our events are organised for schools and colleges to book places for their students.
In some cases, if your school or college is not attending the event, you may be able to register to attend as an individual student. You will need to have permission from your school or college and your parent or guardian before attending. Please check with your school or college before booking.
If you are unsure about whether you can attend, please contact us before registering.
 
 
 

Interested in creating better places for people and communities?

Explore our architecture, geography and games design degrees and discover how you can develop the creativity, technical expertise and environmental understanding needed to design the smart, sustainable cities of the future.
Group of 4 students at an open day, standing on a balcony outside Rowland Levinsky building looking towards the town centre
Architecture student examining building model in the architecture studios
MSc Environmental and Engineering Geology students undertaking fieldwork in Yelverton
Computer science student using a VR headset

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