A new architecture competition is calling on designers worldwide to create innovative solutions for affordable housing in Cape Town, South Africa. The 'Our Homes: Inclusionary Housing Now' competition invites architects, urban planners, engineers, artists, and makers to reimagine four underutilized public sites currently serving as government parking lots into vibrant residential communities.
Hosted by NowNow in partnership with Ndifuna Ukwazi, the competition challenges participants to address Cape Town's pressing spatial inequality issues while developing practical, real-world solutions that could shape the city's housing future. The initiative focuses on integrating affordability with prime location access, bringing residents closer to opportunities, dignity, and a sense of belonging within the urban fabric.
The competition targets four specific government-owned parking lots that represent significant untapped potential for housing development. Participants must design dignified, affordable, and aspirational inclusionary housing that responds to the unique challenges of each site while contributing to broader urban regeneration goals. The emphasis is on reclaiming public land for residential use and creating communities that serve as models for future development.
Registration fees are set at different tiers to encourage broad participation: student teams of up to three people can register for R375, while standard registration costs R750 per team of up to three members. The registration period runs from October 24, 2025, through February 21, 2026, at 24:00 Central Africa Time, giving participants ample time to form teams and develop their concepts.
Submissions must be completed before February 28, 2026, at 24:00 Central Africa Time. The competition organizers have made detailed information packets available for download, providing comprehensive site analysis, technical requirements, and submission guidelines to ensure participants have all necessary resources to develop compelling proposals.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for design professionals to contribute meaningful solutions to one of South Africa's most pressing urban challenges. By focusing on inclusionary housing, the competition aims to break down economic segregation patterns while demonstrating how thoughtful design can create affordable homes that enhance rather than diminish neighborhood character and value.
