The fifth annual FutureTown Design Competition has been launched, inviting people to submit innovative ideas for positive change in their town, city or neighbourhood.

Organised by national agency for towns, Scotland's Towns Partnership, the Competition is aimed at provoking ideas and encouraging new approaches to highlight what the country's towns could look like now and in the future.

The winner is chosen by the public through an online vote. Entrants gain significant online profiles for their ideas and local place, as well as potential additional media coverage. Representatives of the winning design are invited to present their idea to a high-profile event with town and policy stakeholders.

Since its inception the competition has received a rich variety of innovative yet practical ideas promoting positive change in areas such as the local environment, the public realm and accessibility, low carbon and sustainable living, digital technologies and tourism, arts and culture, history and heritage, and health and well-being.

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Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland's Towns Partnership, said: "This competition is a great opportunity for individuals and organisations to test and showcase their ideas for their town or community on a national stage. I'd strongly encourage anyone with a vision for their place to submit their ideas, no matter at what stage of development.

"Now in its fifth year, this competition continues to highlight how much grassroots creativity and potential exists for initiatives that contribute to wellbeing, inclusion, prosperity and environmental sustainability in our towns and city districts.

"In the face of demographic, technological and economic change, communities are able to showcase forward-thinking ideas and projects which point to how our town centres can be thriving places to live, work and socialise in for many years to come".

With no formal application to fill out, entering the competition is straightforward. Individuals or organisations can send a visual representation of their town or idea (such as a photograph or sketch) and a short written description to Scotland's Towns Partnership, at: [email protected]. Applications close on Thursday 31 October 2019 with voting held during Scotland's Towns Week, 18th – 24thNovember 2019. Full information can be found on the organisation's website.

Scotland's Towns Partnership advises that entries can be innovative and creative yet practical and should look to provide genuine potential for development within the town. Whether a building redevelopment, cultural initiative, transport feature, digital service, unique bin design, or a new use for existing public or vacant space…entrants are encouraged to think outside the box.