CEPT University Team Wins Prestigious ULI Hines Asia Pacific Competition

Competing against top institutions like The University of Melbourne and Chulalongkorn University, CEPT’s victory follows their first runner-up finish in 2024.

CEPT University’s “Zoning Out Crew” has secured India’s first-ever victory at the 2025 ULI Hines Student Competition – Asia Pacific, outshining 33 elite teams from 10 countries. Announced at the ULI Asia Pacific Summit in Hong Kong, the win marks a historic milestone for the Ahmedabad-based institution, cementing its place on the global urban design stage.

The winning team—Danish Sikkander, Pooja Save, Pranav Amarnath, Rishi Kumar (Master’s in Urban Design), and Sriram Soni (Master’s in Urban Infrastructure)—crafted a visionary proposal titled “Kai Tak 2050: The Active Shared City.” Mentored by Purvi Chhadva and Dr. Mona Iyer, the team reimagined Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Waterfront as a car-free, sustainable “sharing city” with climate-resilient parks, co-living hubs, and a zero-carbon district. The jury lauded its originality, financial viability, and community-driven approach, calling it a scalable blueprint for future cities.

“Our design embraces density as an asset, fostering shared mobility, green spaces, and inclusive growth,” said team leader Rishi Kumar. “This win reflects our collective passion for innovative urban solutions.”

Competing against top institutions like The University of Melbourne and Chulalongkorn University, CEPT’s victory follows their first runner-up finish in 2024. The team earns ULI memberships, travel support, and access to global industry leaders.

“This achievement showcases CEPT’s commitment to critical thinking and transformative urban design,” said Prof. Shalini Sinha, Dean of Faculty of Planning. President Barjor Mehta added, “Our students have proven that bold, people-centric ideas can redefine global urban futures.”

The ULI Hines Competition, organized by the Urban Land Institute and Hines, challenges students to deliver innovative, sustainable urban proposals.

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