The city of Freetown has launched a new design competition to encourage local innovators to re-imagine the urban core with greener, climate-resilient solutions.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr announced the Freetown Urban Green Design Competition on social media this week, inviting students, young professionals and creative residents to submit plans that would transform the Central Business District (CBD) into a more sustainable, people-friendly space.
The competition forms part of Freetown’s broader climate action efforts, which include initiatives to tackle urban heat, boost green jobs and build more resilient infrastructure in the face of rising temperatures and environmental challenges.
Top entries will receive Le10,000 (approximately $10) each — a symbolic award aimed at encouraging participation and spotlighting innovative ideas that can be scaled up in future urban planning efforts.
Participants are asked to focus on practical design solutions that enhance greenery, improve public life and respond to climate risks facing the city’s streets and public spaces. The competition specifically targets areas from Walpole Street to Wilberforce Street, and from Siaka Stevens Street to Wallace Johnson Street.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said engaging residents in redesigning their own city would not only beautify public spaces but also help Freetown adapt to environmental pressures by prioritising climate-smart urban solutions.
The project has drawn support from international partners, including organisations involved in sustainable urban development, reflecting growing collaboration on climate resilience in Sierra Leone’s capital.
