Over the past two years, we have all become more closely acquainted with the area in which we live, thanks to lockdown restrictions. Perhaps now, you’re more aware of some of the problems where you live, it could be a lack of green space, playgrounds, or other local amenities. Maybe the area feels isolated through lack of activity. Or maybe, lockdown made where you live even better, maybe there was less traffic and pollution, maybe there is a better sense of community due to different working patterns. Every place is different.

Here in the Planning department in the School of Natural and Built Environment, we would like to invite you to ‘hack your place’. To imagine a better, happier and healthier place to live and picture a ‘new normal’.

You could make a map of where people should be able to cycle and walk more easily to get to where they want to go. You might want to tell us where more local shops are needed, or wider footpaths. It could be thinking about empty shop units in the town, and what they could be used for instead to help local communities. Maybe there are too many parking spaces clogging up the streets, maybe there is nowhere for kids to play. We want you to become a planner, and plan for your neighbourhood, town or city!

Interested? Here’s what to do:

Step 1: First, register with us via the form at the bottom of this page.

Step 2: Go for a walk where you live. Take a look around. What issues do you see in the built and natural environment around you? What could be done better if we could change things? Which bits are good and worth keeping?

Step 3: Take notes and pictures. Draw a rough map of where things are. You might even want to go at different times of the day or week to see if things are different.

Step 4: Write about or draw/map what you think would make the place better. Imagine a happy and healthy, post-Covid world, where you are. What key changes would you make?

Step 5: Submit your submissions to us by 29 April here

Please choose one of the following formats:

1. Written report: Your submission should be no more than 1000 words and can include some pictures.
2. Poster Presentation: Your submission should include an overall map of the changes you are making to your local area and can include some explanatory notes.

We also want to help you with your Placehack, so we will be sending you lots of resources and information and things to help you as a planner over the next few weeks. You’ll be hearing from our staff, students and others about things to consider in your PlaceHack!

This competition is open to all students from Years 8-14 in NI, GB and ROI.

Competition winners will be contacted by email.