Will your design illuminate the streets of Utrecht?

The fixture is the upper part of the streetlight that contains the light. It determines how the light is distributed and how much energy is consumed. Alderman Susanne Schilderman (Public Space and Circular Economy): ‘With the switch to LED lighting and our focus on circular economy, this is the moment to bring innovation, sustainability, and Utrecht identity together in one unique design. This is a great opportunity for all creative Utrecht residents who want to leave their mark on the city. I look forward to the new Utrecht streetlights.” 

In Vleuten-De Meern, there are 6,500 streetlights whose fixtures need replacement. The winning design will be applied first to these poles, and later possibly in other parts of the city. With the new fixtures, the municipality aims to add a recognizable object to the public space, which is visible to everyone and immediately shows that you are in Utrecht. With thousands of light poles being renewed, this is a unique opportunity to contribute permanently to the street scene of Utrecht. The winning design will receive €12,500. 

Participation conditions

The design competition runs through the platform U-Forward. To participate in the competition, several conditions apply, for example: 

• The design must be authentic: the design is created through human creativity.
• Designers selected for the second phase must be available to develop a 3D prototype.
• The winning design will be fully owned by the municipality of Utrecht.

A jury consisting of experts in lighting, urban planning, heritage, and sustainability will assess the designs based on iconic Utrecht elements and the connection to the city. According to the schedule, the winner will be announced at the end of January 2026. All information about the competition, the participation conditions, and registration can be found at: Design challenge: Utrecht streetlights | U-Forward