NEW CHAPTER FOR BRATISLAVA’S BROWNFIELD 2026
Competition Brief
Intent
The competition is about the future redevelopment of a substantial brownfield site in Bratislava. The competition aims at reimagining a neglected urban segment and reenacting its role in the city’s overall structure. The entire idea is presented as an urban scale activity and not as an isolated architectural object.
Purpose
The reason is to investigate long-term regeneration methods for a complicated post-industrial area. The proposals must involve housing, public space, infrastructure, and economic activities all together. The objective of the competition is to see how design can facilitate urban continuity and social integration not just aesthetic improvement.
Requirements
Contributors are requested to put forth an urban design or an architectural proposal for the brownfield site. Planned submissions must take into account land-use patterns, networks of public spaces, ways of moving people around, and the future adaptability of the site. The brief underlines taking context into consideration and presenting realistic scenarios for enactment over speculative form making.
Jury
The names and professional roles of the jury members have not been made public by the organizers. It is mentioned that evaluation is done by professionals in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and other relevant disciplines.
Fees
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Competition entry | Free |
Rewards
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Selected proposals | Professional recognition and official acknowledgment |
| Shortlisted entries | Potential publication or exhibition |
Dates
| Category | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration start | December 02 2025 |
| Submission deadline | February 06 2026 |
| Results announcement | Not specified |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The brownfield regeneration contest in Bratislava is the creation of the Zváračák development project led by Račianska Reality. These people claim urban redevelopment of a specific area and not just an open call for letting ideas flow. Still, the organizers keep the jury names and professional roles secret, which limits the transparency about the criteria and the expertise, how the evaluation is done, and what is considered a strong point. The competition is professional and academic and is not a quick commercial branding exercise; it is about long term urban regeneration. Taking into account that participation is free, the limited rewards of recognition and possible publication are in line with the expectations. So far it seems that the main benefit for the participants will be in the development of their portfolios and in getting experience on urban scale, while the implementation still remains uncertain.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
This competition is a way of getting the designers and the public to reflect on the issues posed by post-industrial regeneration and is a participation in a real urban scenario. It is the large scale urban thinking that gives the competition its conceptual weight, and in this respect, it especially appeals to designers who are interested in planning and city making. On the downside of the competition, the absence of detailed information about the jury and the vaguely defined rewards lead to an obscure situation in which the results are uncertain. It would be wise to treat the competition as an exploratory urban design exercise rather than as a guaranteed implementation step or commission.
Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences
ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.
Registration Deadline
Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team
Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp
ArchUp Editorial Management
Jury Committee Assessment:
· The members of the jury committee have not been announced.
· No details are available regarding their expertise or professional backgrounds.
· A complete lack of transparency regarding the evaluation process.
Analysis of the Competition’s Nature:
· Knowledge Value:
· Specialized topic in urban planning and rehabilitation.
· Focuses on transforming abandoned industrial areas.
· Realistic, practically applicable design criteria.
· Organizational Aspects:
· Free participation.
· Non-monetary prizes (professional recognition and publication).
· Clear timeline.
Final Assessment:
· Detailed information about the jury committee and their expertise must be added.
· The organizing body must be specified clearly and accurately.
· It is recommended to verify the competition’s previous records.
· The topic is excellent for ArchUp and aligns with urban planning specialization.
· The information gap regarding the jury must be addressed before publication.
Note: The competition offers a practical and important topic in urban planning, and free participation increases accessibility. It can be published on ArchUp once information about the organizing body and the jury committee is completed.