Inaugural UDISA Urban Design Awards Ceremony

On the evening of March 26, 2026, the Urban Design Institute of South Africa marked a defining moment with the inaugural UDISA Urban Design Awards, held at Roamwork in District Six, Cape Town. The event gathered a vibrant cross-section of the built environment community to celebrate projects and practitioners shaping the future of South African cities with imagination, care, and purpose.

Conceived as a platform to recognise excellence, innovation, and impact, the awards spotlighted work across public space design, placemaking, and broader city-making initiatives. From eco-urbanism projects emerging in Limpopo to transformative urban frameworks in Cape Town, the evening reflected a discipline alive with experimentation and grounded in local realities. A keynote address by Gareth Pearson added depth to the programme, offering reflections on the role of urban design in shaping more inclusive and resilient inner cities.

Beyond the formal presentations, the ceremony carried a quieter, more human undercurrent. For some award recipients, the recognition was not just institutional but deeply personal. One honouree reflected on the journey behind their project, rooted in a long-standing collaboration and a shared belief in the potential of place. A particularly moving moment came with the presence of a development partner who travelled across the country to attend the ceremony, embodying a level of commitment that transcended the project itself. In that gesture, the evening’s true spirit was revealed: urban design not only as a professional pursuit, but as a collective endeavour sustained by trust, relationships, and shared vision.

The inclusion of a People’s Choice Award further extended this ethos, inviting the public to participate in recognising projects that put people and place at the centre. Meanwhile, a distinguished adjudication panel, drawn from both academia and practice, ensured a thoughtful and rigorous selection process.

As the first edition of what promises to become a significant annual fixture, the UDISA Awards did more than celebrate completed work. It set a tone. One of ambition, collaboration, and a deepening commitment to designing cities that are not only functional, but meaningful. In many ways, the evening felt like the opening chapter of a longer story, one where African urbanism continues to define itself on its own terms, with confidence and clarity.

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