APPLICATION TASK 2025
Cities of the Future
Who is this application task for?
The application task on this page is a must for all Swedish Government-funded and International fee-paying applicants who are planning to apply for one of our full-time diploma programs at Hyper Island Sweden in 2025. Take a moment to explore the context, the task, and the instructions. And most importantly, remember to enjoy the process!
Deadline
Swedish Government-funded applicants: Applications will open by January 2025
Fee-paying applicants: Applications are open
Swedish Government Funded Seats Available.
APPLICATION TASK TOPIC
Cities are evolving faster than ever before, with over half of the global population now living in urban areas. These cities face a range of complex challenges: population growth, environmental sustainability, economic inequality, and the need for resilient infrastructure. As they expand, cities also hold incredible potential to shape the future of human connection, innovation, and quality of life.
The question is: How should we envision and create the cities of tomorrow? With technology advancing rapidly, cities of the future could be more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive than we ever imagined. At the same time, design plays a crucial role in creating spaces that are not only functional but also enriching and human-centred. And from a business perspective, new economic models and solutions will be essential to make these cities viable, inclusive, and adaptable.
HOW TO APPROACH
Your task is to imagine and propose a vision for the cities of the future. You can pick a specific city that you are familiar with or keep it general.
Check out the steps below to learn more about how to approach the task.
Application Instruction
Your task is to imagine and propose a vision for the cities of the future. You can pick a specific city that you are familiar with or keep it general.
Getting started
Familiarise yourself with the task and read through the instructions thoroughly.
Check out the resources for inspiration down below, as well as the evaluation and grading criteria.
Step 1
Identify one challenge urban areas face (e.g., sustainable energy, public transportation, affordable housing, social equity, or accessible public spaces) in connection with your priority program.
Step 2
Step 3
Helpful Resources and tips
TAKE CARE OF PRACTICALITIES
GOOD TO KEEP IN MIND
Time Frame: Your response should be designed to be reviewed in just 3 minutes. Only the first 3 minutes of content will be assessed, so ensure that your key points are clear and concise within this time limit.
Format: Let your creativity shine! We encourage you to think outside the box—submit your response as a video, presentation, podcast, or another engaging format. Pure text submissions, regardless of format, will not be accepted, as we’re looking to see how you express ideas creatively and innovatively. Please make sure your response is in English.
Use of AI: If you choose to use AI in any part of your submission, you must explain how it was used. Include an appendix with the prompts and outputs generated by AI to provide transparency in your process.
Do’s:
- Embrace creativity and think outside the box.
- Use engaging formats such as videos, podcasts, presentations with visuals, infographics, diagrams, etc.
- Ensure your submission can be reviewed within 3 minutes.
- Include an appendix clearly documenting any AI usage and prompts.
- Submit your task in English.
Don’ts:
- Submit pure text (essay-style) responses.
- Exceed the 3-minute review limit.
- Submit your task in a language other than English.
- Presentation and Clarity (2 Points)
- Your submission is well-structured, following the 3 minute limit and in the right format.
- Your submission is in English.
- Relevance to the Challenge (2 Points)
- Your submission addresses a clear and significant urban challenge and proposes a solution aligned with the context of future cities (e.g., sustainability, inclusivity, innovation).
- Your submission is connected to the first priority program you have applied for.
- Creativity and Originality (2 Points)
- The proposed solution is unique and innovative.
- The proposed solution goes beyond conventional ideas to present a fresh perspective.
- Feasibility and Realism (2 Points)
- Your solution is practical and implementable, considering current or emerging technologies, business models, or design practices.
- Potential challenges or barriers are addressed effectively.
- Impact and Vision (2 Points)
- Your idea demonstrates potential to create meaningful change for individuals or society.
- It articulates a long-term vision for urban life and its broader implications.
If you feel stuck, take some time to review these resources for inspiration:
Check if your idea already exists. If it does, add your own USP and make sure to elevate your idea to make it your own. We will review many ideas - Does yours stand out?
Read the instructions thoroughly and make sure to not miss any steps.
Pro Tip: Check out the inspiration resources and the grading criteria.
Use facts, numbers, and examples to back up your ideas and show they really work.
Connecting your response to your first priority program only will not impact your chances of getting accepted into a program of lower priority.
Encouraging or promoting discrimination of any group of people is not allowed. Such submissions will receive a score of 0 and the application will be rejected.
WONDERING WHY WE CHOSE THIS TOPIC?
Privacy concerns in modern society can significantly affect our mental well-being. The constant data collection and tracking, coupled with the awareness that our information is always susceptible to being collected and tracked, can lead to heightened stress and a pervasive feeling of never truly achieving complete privacy. Today, data collection and tracking are common through various means, such as web cookies, location services, health monitoring in smartwatches, video surveillance, digital payments, and numerous other methods. Our every move is subject to monitoring and tracking.
- check How much data collection and tracking should we allow in society? When does it become too much?
- check Are we considering the pros and cons of monitoring and tracking everything we do, or have we accepted that this is how life is now?
- check What about Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its possibility to read our minds based on collecting data and tracking our personal dreams, thoughts, routines, relationships, etc.
- check How can we protect our mental privacy once this is introduced on a mass level and our data is collected and processed in ways we couldn’t even imagine before?
We are here to guide you
Questions about your Application Task or anything else? Our admissions team are here to guide you in this process.
