A team of five students from CEPT University won first place in the 2025 ULI Hines Student Competition – Asia Pacific. This is the first time an Indian institute has won the international competition in its 23-year history.
The team won a prize for their proposal of ”Kai Tak 2050: The Active Shared City’. The proposal submitted by CEPT University students reimagined the Kai Tak Waterfront in Hong Kong as a next-generation ‘sharing city’-a vibrant urban model where density, integrated infrastructure, and community-driven design foster innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth
This year’s competition saw participation from 33 multidisciplinary teams across 10 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region. Finalist teams included CEPT University (India), The University of Melbourne (Australia), and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand). CEPT University first entered the competition in 2024 and secured the first runner-up position.
Representing India as the Zoning Out Crew, the winning team included Danish Sikkander, Pooja Save, Pranav Amarnath, and Rishi Kumar from the Master’s in Urban Design and Sriram Soni from the Master’s in Urban Infrastructure programme.
“The concept was anchored in five core pillars: shared mobility, green spaces, living, culture, and resources. The team proposed an urban future where sharing is not a compromise but a means to elevate quality of life. By treating density as an advantage, encouraging social interaction and active living, and fostering economic self-sufficiency, the proposal positions Kai Tak as a potential global benchmark for future high-density, livable, and resilient cities,” the official communication from the institute stated.
The proposal included a car-free, multi-level transport system, parks that can handle climate changes, rooftop farms, shared living spaces, innovation centers, and a cultural zone for learning and creativity. It also had a zero-carbon area powered by clean energy and recycling systems. All these ideas came together to create a modern and inclusive city plan.
Rishi Kumar from CEPT, who led the ZoningOut Crew, said that leading the team in the ULI Hines Competition was a great experience that helped them learn and grow while working together.