The second edition of The Bay Awards has attracted significant international interest, receiving 94 submissions from 39 countries across Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Middle East.
The projects submitted represent a wide range of urban realities and geographical contexts. Particularly strong participation has come from cities and organisations in Colombia, Brazil, Türkiye, South Africa, Portugal and Italy, alongside initiatives from Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, Cape Verde, Mexico, India, Canada, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Palestine, Ukraine, Denmark, Norway, Rwanda and Haiti, among many others.
From major metropolitan regions to medium-sized cities and smaller municipalities, the diversity of submissions reflects a growing global commitment to urban transformation, sustainability, economic development and quality of life. The awards provide a platform for sharing innovative solutions and practical experiences that are helping shape more resilient, inclusive and prosperous urban futures.
An international jury of twelve distinguished urban leaders, experts and practitioners, supported by a local technical evaluation team, will review all submissions and select three finalists in each award category. The finalists will be announced on 15 November 2026.
The Bay Awards Summit & Gala
The Bay Awards Summit and Gala will take place in Bilbao on 11–12 March 2027.
The city will host the second edition of The Bay Awards Summit at Euskalduna Bilbao, bringing together urban leaders, policymakers, innovators and practitioners to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of cities.
The programme will conclude with The Bay Awards Gala at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, where the winners of the 2027 edition will be announced and celebrated for their contribution to advancing urban development and improving life in cities worldwide.
What are The Bay Awards?
The Bay Urban Visioning Awards recognize urban projects, initiatives and long-term transformation processes that generate meaningful impact and contribute to rethinking the future of cities and metropolitan regions.
They showcase solutions that combine innovation, cooperation and strategic vision, with the capacity to inspire other territories through transferability, shared learning and long-term value creation.
Each edition of The Bay Awards reflects the key challenges facing cities today, structured through a set of award categories that frame different dimensions of urban transformation.
Six categories reflecting today’s urban challenges
1
Horizon Shaper Award
2
Partners in Progress Award
3
SDG Champions Award
4
Prosperity Catalyst Award
5
Metropolitan Connection Awards
6
Urban Pioneers Award
A Bilbao Metropoli 30 initiative
Bilbao Metropoli 30 is a public-private association founded in 1991, which brings together almost 140 public entities, private companies and social organizations. Our goal is to address jointly the ecological, economic, cultural and social well-being of the Bilbao metropolis in the future, as well as to encourage transformative projects that would help us achieve this mission.
Bilbao Metropoli 30 was one of the catalysts of the joint public, private and civic efforts that enabled Bilbao to reemerge from a period of deep economic, political and social crisis. Now we are ready for the next challenge.
Why The Bay Awards?
We need to address the imperative needs of our cities and metropolises in a radical and disruptive way. These challenges are not impossible to address, but we cannot wait any longer. We need an URBAN REVOLUTION.
The Bay Awards aim to spark and strengthen radical and consensual actions and measures between cities, regions, organizations and people around the world to push for a completely different status quo and build our collective capacity to respond to today’s pressing urban challenges.
Why in Bilbao?
It is no coincidence that this initiative is taking place in Bilbao. The revitalization process of Metropolitan Bilbao over the past thirty year has been internationally recognized as a successful model of transformation from an industrial region to a modern cultural metropolis. This process proved that an urban revolution is possible, but this journey is not over – neither in Bilbao nor anywhere else around the world. Safeguarding ecological, economic, cultural and social well-being is an ongoing task that requires collective action.
Jury Members
Christian Bason
Design, innovation, governance and leadership for sustainable transition
Gabriella Gómez-Mont
Experimentalista
Sophie Howe
Future Generations
activist
Geci Karuri-Sebina
African Centre for Cities
BRUCE KATZ
Heinz Award in Public Policy in 2006.
David Miller
C40 Cities
Carlos Moreno
15 minutes city
concept
Farah Naz
Innovation and ESG for the Middle East and Africa
Elaine tan
Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore
Maria Vassilakou
Advisor on urban Transformation, Urban Strategist and City Manager
Sébastien Vauzelle
UN – Local 2030 Coalition Secretariat
Tom Wright
Regional Planning Association of New York
Senior advisors
Charles Landry
Imagination and creativity in urban change
Greg clark
Writer, Chair, and advisor on cities
Larry NG LH
Board of Architects, Singapore
Partners
Support
Official venues
Building on The Bay Awards 2024
The first edition of The Bay Awards, held in 2024, recognized urban initiatives from different territories and contexts, highlighting projects with tangible results and long-term value for their communities.
The current edition builds on this experience, strengthening The Bay Awards as a platform for knowledge-sharing, international dialogue and collaboration between cities and urban actors worldwide.
