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Register for the Green Pathways Hackathon Challenge!

“The Halifax Port Authority and The PIER present the Green Pathways Challenge. Put your creativity, ideas, and collaborative skills to the test and help connect the Halifax Seaport district waterfront to Point Pleasant Park with a green, accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and safe pathway for walkers, joggers, wheelchairs, strollers, cyclists, scooters, etc (everything but vehicles).

Click here to register via Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/green-pathways-challenge-tickets-696032179987?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Overarching Challenge Question

How do we create a route from the Halifax Seaport district to Point Pleasant Park that strikes a balance between accessibility, safety, aesthetic & green attributes?  This is a blue-sky challenge – anything is possible!

 

Challenge Description

The Halifax Port Authority (HPA) is working to create a connected port city that is more inclusive and accessible. The HPA is taking steps to become a greener and more sustainable organization. Finding new ways to interact with the community is a key part of our One Port City strategy. The HPA administers 265 acres of land, most of which is marine industrial land located along the waterfront. This includes containerized and non-containerized cargo terminals located in the north end and south end of the Halifax peninsula connected by rail tracks. The public is allowed to use the industrial roads alongside trucks hauling cargo and containers, dump trucks, and heavy equipment. Trains also run through these areas and frequently block Marginal Road near the South End Container Terminal as part of their normal operations. The Halifax Port Authority (HPA) is looking for creative ways to develop a separate pathway for active transportation between the Halifax Seaport district and Point Pleasant Park that won’t interfere with port operations, has the least environmental impact, and will contribute to active and healthy lifestyles for people living in our port city.

Objectives

  • Connect the Halifax Seaport district to Point Pleasant Park.
  • Provide safe passage over rail crossings for path users (including persons on bicycles, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, runners, etc.).
  • Create a destination that is inviting to locals and tourists.

Who should participate?

Challenge participants should be students who are registered in their first degree/diploma/apprenticeship program at a Nova Scotian post-secondary institution. The best ideas come from interdisciplinary teams, so we invite submissions from those studying Arts and Humanities, Marketing, Design, Urban Planning, Engineering, Biology, Sustainability, Business, or any other program. This Challenge allows participants to work on their own to explore creative ideas or work collaboratively in a team environment with others who share similar interests to leverage a variety of skills and perspectives.

Judging and Prizes

Judges will have three days to review the submissions and will then come together to decide on winners. Projects will be judged on meeting the objectives listed above, presentation, creativity, and overall plan.

  • First prize: $1000
  • Second prize: $600
  • Third prize: $400

The three winning projects will be shared publicly on The PIER and HPA websites, and on social media so community members can view the projects and share comments.

Schedule (all times are in Atlantic Time)

  • Monday, September 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: The Challenge kicks off! The session will be hosted at The PIER. It will also be live streamed, recorded, and shared within 24 hours for those individuals or teams participating remotely. During the kickoff we will hear from three subject matter experts and will provide a link to aerial footage of the area. Local participants are also welcome to tour the existing route between the Halifax Seaport district and Point Pleasant Park to view the area. All participants in attendance will have a chance to ask questions.
  • Monday, September 25 by 11:59 p.m.: Concept submissions must be emailed to sscully@portofhalifax.ca with “Challenge submission form *TEAM/PROJECT NAME*” in the subject line to be eligible for presentation. Judges will review all submissions over the following three business days.
  • Friday, September 29, at 4:00 p.m. Participants will be contacted with the results, and the winning proposals will be shared through social media.

Submissions

  • All entries are to be submitted as a video recording/presentation (three-minute maximum).
  • Submissions will include a drawn or digital illustration, or a 3D model of the proposed green pathway, along with a brief written description of key proposal features. Surprise us! Judging will be based on the potential for meeting the key objectives, overall impact, originality, and creativity”

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