Deadline: March 3rd
Award Ceremony: March 7th

What is the purpose of this contest?

1. This contest is meant to provide awareness about sustainable (or unsustainable) development* within the San Diego/ Tijuana region.
2. This contest is meant to create excitement about art in and from the UCSD “community.”

* What is sustainable development?

            The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development was coined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987 as a development strategy that "seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future."

Consider this Kenyan proverb:  We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.  This axiom embodies the basic essence of sustainable development.

Why here?  Why now?

Assets and challenges to sustainability currently exist in this region, and they should be brought to the attention of its citizens.  An asset may be manifested in the form of a mixed-use development that encourages “green” or environmentally friendly activities or even a community litter removal project.  Challenges may be noticed in the increasing amount of grid locked freeways or urban rainwater runoff that pollutes our beaches.  The challenges and assets exist, but they are not in the immediate awareness of most people.  Nothing is better at bringing these issues to life as images.

The end result of this contest should be a merger of art and urban planning.  Most importantly, though, it will bring to light issues of sustainability that either benefit or detract from our region.  These photos are meant to be of as much help to the contestants as they are to the community who views them.

How do you do it?

The photographer will be asked to capture images that show the assets or challenges that this region has for sustainable development.  The artist will have the option of creating a 100-word caption to accompany the photo, and both artistic aspects of copy and photography will be taken into account in the judges’ opinions of each photo.  It is strongly encouraged that the photographer use the written copy to accompany his or her photograph, however, if the artist feels that the picture stands alone (and is truly worth a thousand words) then he or she may choose not to include a caption, although again, both aspects will be taken into account.

Judging will be based on the following criteria:

The photos will be judged on the quality of the photographs and their aesthetic value, as well as their ability to capture the essence of sustainability (or unsustainability) in the region.

Guidelines:

1. Photographs must be of the San Diego/Tijuana region (San Diego County and Tijuana, Mexico).
2. Photographs must be a minimum of 8”x10”, and mounted or matted.
3. Photographs must be the original work of the submitter.
4. Permission must be provided for the Urban Studies and Planning Club to use the photographs for further promotions or art shows.
5. Photographs will not be returned.
6. Photographs must be submitted by March 3^rd 2003.

Entry pictures should be mailed to the USP Office (9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0517 La Jolla, CA 92093-0517) or dropped off in person (SSB 315).

*For more information contact Kelly Cowan at kcowan5@hotmail.com

An award ceremony will take place on March 7^th 2003.  A $200 grand prize will be awarded for the winning picture submitted by a student.

Definitions of Sustainable Development:

SANDAG

Indicators of Sustainable Competitiveness - San Diego Region

Regional Workbench

sustainable city-region development.

Examples of photographs (some without captions):

Photo: Marion Kaplan

Curitibia is considered to be one of the most sustainable cities in the world.