The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, on Tuesday January 6, 2026 officially launched the Freetown Urban Green Design Competition, a citywide initiative aimed at introducing innovative, climate-resilient greenery into the capital’s Central Business District (CBD).
The competition is part of broader urban regeneration efforts being implemented under the Freetown–Zurich City-to-City Cooperation, a partnership focused on modernizing the city’s core while improving environmental sustainability and urban livability. Key components of the cooperation include the installation of modern street lighting, the organisation of street parking, the creation of urban green spaces and targeted beautification of public areas.
Unveiling the initiative, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said the competition seeks to harness local creativity to reimagine Freetown’s city centre as a greener, more people-friendly space that responds to climate change and rapid urbanization. She noted that greening the CBD is not only about aesthetics, but also about improving public health, safety and economic activity.
The competition invites residents to redesign the CBD corridor stretching from Walpole Street to Wilberforce Street and from Siaka Stevens Street to Wallace Johnson Street. Participants are encouraged to envision streets lined with lush green trees and enhanced public-facing spaces, including the frontages of commercial banks and other prominent landmarks. The goal is to transform traditionally grey, congested streets into vibrant, welcoming environments that support walking, social interaction and business activity.
Open to students, young professionals and local creatives, the initiative is designed to promote community ownership and empower residents to actively shape the future of their city. Organisers say the competition also provides an opportunity to spotlight homegrown ideas that are practical, affordable and scalable within Freetown’s urban context.
Design submissions will be evaluated against clear criteria, including climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, contribution to public life and safety, cost-conscious implementation, and overall creativity and innovation. To incentivize participation, the top three winning entries will each receive a cash prize of Le 10,000.
City officials expressed optimism that the competition will generate actionable ideas capable of informing long-term urban planning and reinforcing Freetown’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive development.
