Open Call: Redesign the Burning Man City Plan

The existing structure of Burning Man. Image © Flicker CC User Duncan Rawlinson – @thelastminute – Duncan.co

Since its inception in 1986, Burning Man has been a well-known stakeholder in experimental art and the greater artistic community. Each year, the theme, art, and participants are different, but for nearly two decades the general city plan has remained the same, reaching back to 1997. With this in mind, the Black Rock City Ministry of Urban Planning has created the Black Rock City Street Plan Design Competition to redesign the urban plan of Burning Man.

Open to all internationally, the competition seeks a new city plan that will fit within the existing pentagonal boundaries of the event space, and that will center The Man and The Temple at its focus. Designs should additionally incorporate large open spaces to accommodate art installations, as well as ample camping space.

Safety considerations are also a priority in the competition—not only should plans be easily navigable for participants, but they should likewise provide direct access for emergency services.

The competition will be divided into two stages, with the first stage accepting single page submissions with brief statements. Stage one is also set to accept individual element submissions, for instance, a single roundabout, to be utilized in any final plans. After a public vote online, the top ten entries will advance to stage two, which will require more detailed street level designs. Again, the designs will be displayed publicly online, and the Burning Man management team will ultimately select a winner.

Registration is currently open, and stage one entries will be accepted from October through December 31. Stage two will run from January to May 2016, and the final design plan will be implemented for the 2017 event.

Learn more about the competition and register, here.

News via the Black Rock City Ministry of Urban Planning.