The Design Challenge is an interactive, team‑based program that brings together industry, government, community and students to tackle real‑world sustainability challenges and design the cities of tomorrow.
Participants work in transdisciplinary teams to respond to realistic future scenarios, competing in a game‑based environment to create practical, innovative and climate‑resilient solutions.
How it works
Teams are given complex place‑based scenarios — such as designing a new community during severe drought — and must develop solutions that balance water, energy, infrastructure, governance, community trust and investment realities.
The Challenge pushes participants to think beyond traditional approaches and work across disciplines, organisations and systems.
A real‑world scenario
Imagine it is 2030.
A new 10,000‑home community is being planned during a prolonged drought. Water storages are critically low, energy‑neutral solutions are required, community confidence in water recycling is being undermined, and multiple industries are competing for limited water resources.
The question becomes: How do you design infrastructure, governance and engagement strategies that work — and bring the community and investors with you?
This is the kind of challenge participants solve.
The four phases
Each Design Challenge unfolds through four stages:
- Explore – understand the system, the risks and the problem
- Collaborate – test ideas through rapid analysis, negotiation and systems integration
- Consolidate – develop and refine integrated solutions as scenarios evolve
- Communicate – clearly present solutions to communities, industry and decision‑makers
What participants gain
Through the Challenge, participants develop the capabilities needed to transform industry, including:
- Interdisciplinary systems thinking
- Creative, team‑based problem solving
- Rapid response to complex and evolving challenges
- Confidence working across technical, social and governance boundaries
The program is grounded in real industry input, live feedback and competitive gamification to accelerate learning and break beyond current norms.
Where and why
Design Challenges will be delivered across Australia, with early demonstration sites in Queensland and New South Wales, where climate volatility, population growth, recycled water investment and social barriers intersect — and where pressure is increasing in the lead‑up to Brisbane 2032.
The Challenge is already multi‑award winning and used by universities across Europe, North America and Australia.
Why it matters
The Design Challenge bridges the gap between research, training and real‑world implementation. It builds the skills, confidence and networks needed to turn proven sustainability solutions into action — at the speed the future demands.