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New Sustainable Cities And Human Settlements Awards Application

I. Applicants and Eligibility

1.      Applicants

The awards are open to legal government agencies, international organizations, enterprises, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and individuals from various countries and regions across the world.

2.      Eligibility

[Cities]

1) The submitted city sticks to sustainable development and aim for balanced integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions. Remarkable achievements have been made in green and smart city. Citizens enjoy a good sense of security and satisfaction.

2) With reference to the International Green Model City (IGMC) 3.0 Standards, the applicant shows a good performance in the six dimensions of "spatial planning and development, basic services, environment, economy, society, and culture".

[Buildings and Communities]

1) The submitted project is characterized by energy and resource-saving designs, technologies and technics, aiming for green, healthy, low-carbon, smart and affordable buildings and communities with livable and comfortable human settlements.

2) With reference to the International Green Model City (IGMC) 3.0 Standards, the applicant shows a good performance in the six dimensions of "spatial planning and development, basic services, environment, economy, society, and culture".

[Planning and Design]

1) The submitted project is people-oriented and characterized by sustainability, innovation, integration and forward-thinking.

2) The project shows outstanding performance in resource conservation, social inclusion, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and prevention of pollution, etc.

[Environment]

1) The submitted project has produced significant effects and made outstanding contribution to the protection and restoration of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

2) The project is innovative, inclusive, cost-effective, and replicable.

[Urban Renewal]

1) The project complies with policies, incorporates innovative design, and achieves sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions, greatly enhancing urban and community functions and livability.

2) The urban landscape and cultural heritage are effectively preserved.

3) It demonstrates strong public participation and social equity.

[Cultural Heritage]

1) The category encompasses both tangible and intangible cultural heritage that has been effectively preserved and transmitted, demonstrating high levels of integrity, authenticity, uniqueness, and profound cultural significance.

2) Deep integration of cultural transmission and sustainability principles: Cultural heritage is revitalized through sustainable development concepts, fostering sustainable cultural industry models, promoting social inclusion, and adopting green, low-carbon, and smart materials, technologies, and models. This achieves an integration of cultural value, economic benefits, and environmental protection.

3) Deep social participation: A sustainable cultural practice system involving multiple stakeholders is established, featuring community leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration. This creates clear, low-cost operational models that stimulate endogenous motivation for local cultural transmission.

[Tourism]

1) The submitted project was built and officially put into operation, including natural scenic areas, historical and cultural scenic spots, leisure resorts, tourism and cultural projects, tourism and business integration projects, etc.

2) The submitted project possesses unique, national-level natural landscape or human landscape, with sound environmental quality.

3) The submitted project pursues sustainable development, values natural and cultural resources, and actively promotes environmentally-friendly planning, design and relevant technologies.

[Villages]

1) The submitted village has a long history, with reasonable spatial layout and morphology, well-preserved heritage buildings, ecological integrity, and perfect supporting infrastructure.

2) The submitted village is home to many indigenous people, well managed, and resilient, and is a perfect destination for living, working and tourism.

[Technology/Product]

1) Demonstrates sustainability and innovation in design, performance, and practical application.

2) Environmentally friendly and low-carbon, smart and convenient, with efficient resource utilization and significant effects in improving human settlements.

3) High safety standards, beneficial to the health of users.

[Innovation]

1) Breakthrough innovation in theories or research achievements on sustainable development.

2) Breakthrough innovation in technologies or products; design, performance and practical effects are at an advanced level globally; the project has reached a certain market size, and its promotion and application will make great contributions.

3) Breakthrough innovation and achievements in processes, services, governance, etc.; the project is replicable, and its application will make great contributions.

[Leadership]

1) Organizations with outstanding leadership in and contribution to sustainable development, including national and local governments, international organizations, professional institutions, NGOs, enterprises, etc.

2) Individuals with outstanding leadership in and contribution to sustainable development, including government officials, mayors, heads of international organizations, heads of NGOs, entrepreneurs, business leaders, etc. 

II. How to Apply

1. Formally invited by GFHS Secretariat.

2. Application or nomination by GFHS members.

3. Nominated by GFHS partner organizations.

4. Nominated by well-known individuals, international organizations or authoritative institutions to GFHS Secretariat.

III. Application Materials

1. Organizations or individuals who apply through any of the above-mentioned channels shall fill out the application form and prepare relevant application materials as required.

2. The application materials are the main basis for assessment, and applicants shall prepare the required information earnestly and truthfully; when submitting the application form, important supporting materials and information such as pictures, videos and relevant documents shall be attached as required.

IV. Reward Mechanism

1. Award recipients are required to attend the awards ceremony in person. The organizing committee will present them with a trophy, medal, and certificate, along with a monetary prize.

2. Winners will gain publicity on mainstream media and social media.

3. Some of the winners’ innovation and best practices will be included in GFHS’ annual outcome document and relevant publications as research results, which will be promoted on a wider scale.

4. Award-winning cities and organizations will be given precedence to submit a bid to host the Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements and relevant theme events. Specific procedures shall be discussed separately.

V. Assessment Principles

1. The assessment is based on the principles of “voluntary application, selection of the fittest, fairness and impartiality”. The evaluation process and information are confidential. Before the award is revealed, no other organizations or individuals have the right to guarantee that a certain applicant will win the award.

2. The Jury members will conduct a rigorous review and evaluation of the submitted projects in accordance with the established criteria. If necessary, on-site inspections or presentations may be arranged for certain projects. Based on the comprehensive evaluation results, the projects will be ranked accordingly.

3. Applicants do not need to pay application fee to any organization or individual. Winners are responsible for their own travel expenses incurred when invited to attend the annual meeting of GFHS and awards ceremony.

VI.  Procedure

Procedure

Content

Time

Accept Nomination

GFHS Secretariat accepts nominations from relevant organizations and individuals all year round.

Throughout the year

Accept Application

The applicant shall complete the application form as required, prepare, and submit the relevant application materials.

By May 15

Preliminary Screening

GFHS Secretariat does a preliminary review of the applications and eliminates the unqualified. The remaining applicants will be requested, if necessary, to improve and complete the submission.

May-June

Preliminary Assessment

The Jury carries out a technical pre-evaluation and proposes the shortlisted applicants.

Mid-June

Online Presentation
/Field Visit

If needed, review experts may conduct on-site inspections or hold online presentation sessions for a selected sample of submitted cities or projects.

May-July

 Final Assessment

The Jury holds a meeting and selects the winners. Then GFHS Secretariat reports to GFHS Board.

Mid-July

Approval

GFHS Board approves the list of winners.

August

Notification

Winners will receive a formal notification to attend GFHS annual meeting and awards ceremony.

August

Award Presentation

The awards ceremony is held at GFHS annual meeting to grandly honor the winners.

At GFHS Annual Meeting