Smart City Hackathon 2026: Build Smarter. Shape Better Cities

 

The Smart City Hackathon brings together students, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, researchers, urban innovators, and creative problem-solvers to develop practical solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing cities today.

The hackathon provides participants with an opportunity to turn ideas into action by using technology, data, creativity, and innovation to address real-world urban problems and imagine better ways for cities to work for everyone.

Participants will work individually or in teams to develop solutions under one of the following challenge themes:

🏙️ Clean City

Develop innovative software, hardware, data-driven, or other practical solutions to improve waste management, reduce pollution, enhance air quality, and create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable cities.

📊 City Intelligence

Build software, AI, maps, and data tools that transform existing and open city data into useful insights, smarter planning tools, predictive solutions, and citizen-facing information that helps people better understand and navigate their cities.

🌍 Public Preparedness Ahead of the Climate Crisis

Create impactful communication and behaviour-change solutions that help communities prepare for climate-related challenges such as heatwaves, floods, smog, and other urban risks. Solutions may include short films, documentaries, public awareness campaigns, digital content, or other creative media.

Why Participate?
  • Solve meaningful real-world urban challenges
  • Turn your ideas into practical solutions
  • Learn from mentors, experts, and industry professionals
  • Build your portfolio with a project that creates real-world impact
  • Work with people from different disciplines and backgrounds
  • Connect with technology, government, development, and urban innovation stakeholders
  • Compete for exciting prizes and recognition
  • Showcase your skills and ideas on a wider platform
  • Whether you're a developer, designer, student, entrepreneur, filmmaker, researcher, data enthusiast, or simply someone with an idea for a better city, this hackathon is an opportunity to collaborate, experiment, and build solutions that can make urban life better.

Bring your ideas. Solve real problems. Build the cities of tomorrow.

Requirements

Each team must submit the following:

1. Working Prototype or Demonstration

A functional prototype, proof of concept, demonstration, creative output, or other tangible representation of your proposed solution.

2. Project Description

A clear explanation covering:

  • The problem being addressed
  • Why the problem matters
  • How your solution works
  • Who will benefit from the solution
  • Potential impact and scalability
3. Technology / Innovation Component

Clearly explain the technology, data, creative approach, or innovation used in your solution and why it is appropriate for addressing the selected challenge.

For technology-based solutions, this may include AI, software, GIS, open data, sensors, or other emerging technologies.

For creative solutions, explain the communication, storytelling, or behaviour-change approach used and how it can contribute to public preparedness and resilience.

4. Demo Video

Submit a video of up to 3 minutes demonstrating or presenting:

  • The problem
  • Your solution
  • Key features or outputs
  • How the solution works or engages users
  • The potential impact
5. Presentation Deck

A short pitch deck summarizing the problem, solution, innovation, impact, and future roadmap.

6. Source Files / Repository

For technology-based projects, provide a GitHub or other repository link containing the relevant source code.

For creative projects, provide links or files for the submitted media and supporting project materials.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$642 in prizes
1st Prize
$108 in cash
3 winners

2nd Prize
$70 in cash
3 winners

3rd Prize
$36 in cash
3 winners

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Dr Zillay Mariam

Dr Zillay Mariam
Managing Director, ISP Environmental Solutions

Abid Hussainy

Abid Hussainy
Senior Specialist, Environment, Climate Change & Water, The Urban Unit

Dr Ahmad Ali Gul

Dr Ahmad Ali Gul
Director, Center for Disaster Management UMT

Judging Criteria

  • Evaluation Criteria
    Submissions will be evaluated based on problem relevance, civic impact, innovation, technical execution, user experience, scalability, and the team's ability to clearly communicate their solution.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

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