"Earth Roots Renascence" is the theme of the 2017 Ruichang – L&A Design Star Competition. It takes the former site of the Jiangxi Jiangzhou Dockyard as the focal point of the competition, including the surrounding mountains, waterbody, and towns as the design site. Designers are asked to research the new "tourism plus" model; to consider the area's industrial heritage, which includes the Tongling Site, the Old 459 Factory, the 491 Factory, the Hongxia People Factory, the Xinmin Machine Factory and other old sites; to consider basic ecological establishments, creative tourism, art and public education; and to generate modern cultural tourism through appropriate planning. With this competition, Ruichang is envisioned as an “all-for-one” tourism experience with a global perspective, and a promotional tourism resource.
CODE (COmpetitions for DEsigners) and con-fine Art have launched “The Wall,” a design competition aiming at a re-interpreting the concept of “wall.” The initiative, in cooperation with Regione Emilia Romagna, the Municipality of Bologna, and the University and the School of Fine Arts in Bologna has a cash prize of € 10,000, and winning projects will also be exhibited. The jury comprises renowned personalities of the design and art international scene, including among others Arnaldo Pomodoro, Edoardo Tresoldi, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Franco Purini and TAMassociati.