Urban was once again heavily involved in the 2026 Philadelphia Future City Competition, celebrating the spirit of innovation and creativity of young minds as they imagine future cities. Urban has supported the program for nearly 30 years, introducing students in grades six through eight to engineering and planning.

This year’s Farm to Table Challenge encouraged students to think differently about how food moves through our cities, from production to reuse, and how smarter, more sustainable systems can reduce waste and support stronger communities.

In addition to serving as a Gold Sponsor, the following Urban employees dedicated their time and expertise to this competition:

• Danielle Baer – Preliminary Judge
• Adam Brown – Mentor
• Dawn Dayawon – Mentor
• Charlotte Hinton – Program Design
• Bill Lordan – Mentor
• Madelyn Marquardt – Special Awards Judge
• Mike McAtee – Steering Committee, Regional Mentor Coordinator, Mentor
• Rose Rinker – Mentor
• Laurel Welch – Special Awards Judge

Urban was also privileged to present the special award for “Technical Communication and Collaboration.” This award recognizes outstanding teamwork and effective communication of complex engineering concepts. By supporting this initiative, Urban helps students develop the skills needed for success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Congratulations to all the participants and winners! Click here to learn more about Urban’s involvement and our commitment to encouraging young minds in STEM.