Main Street Design Challenge – FAQs 

Q:  How do I submit my design? 

A:  Please visit the Design Challenge page and scroll down to the blue “Submission Portal” button on the left, or click here to go directly to the form.

Q:  Can I submit a revised version of the same design if I improve it, after submitting it in an earlier round? 

A:  Yes 

Q:  Can I submit a design that was already created for a place or for a client? 

A:  Yes. Just make sure that if it is not solely your own work, or if it was done for a client, you have the rights to allow it to be published and used free of charge. 

Q: Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to participate? 

A:  No. The Challenge is open to all residents of Canada interested in place-making, including permanent and temporary residents (like international students or those on work visas). Anyone interested in design is welcome to participate. 

Q: Can municipalities or organizations participate? 

Yes, municipalities (or other levels of government) and organizations, private, community or non-profit, are all welcome to submit designs. 

Q: Aren't design interventions of limited help to main streets when what we really need is a new economic approach, new business models or other more fundamental reforms? 

A: Design is just one tool in a portfolio of larger solutions, but can be a powerful way to help rethink public streets and places to enhance safety, sustainability and resiliency, particularly as we emerge from the pandemic into a new normal. 

Q.  Can people or organizations outside of Canada participate? 

A: Applicants must be residents of Canada, but they can have collaborators who are outside of Canada. 

Q:  I still have questions.  Is there someone I can email? 

A:  Please send your question to Ariana Holt, aholt@canurb.org, and someone will get back to you.