WILLEMSTAD – Residents of Curaçao have until Friday, November 13, to register for a design competition aimed at creating a new generation of bus stops across the island. Autobusbedrijf Curaçao (ABC) and the Department of Public Works are inviting the public to develop innovative, practical, and durable designs that offer better protection against the sun and rain while improving the experience of public transportation passengers.
The competition, titled "Bo Parada di Bùs Ideal pa Kòrsou" (Your Ideal Bus Stop for Curaçao), is open to anyone living on the island who possesses a valid identification card. Participants do not need professional experience in architecture, engineering, or design, and entries may be submitted individually or by groups.
The initiative seeks to encourage residents to contribute ideas for bus stops that are better suited to Curaçao's tropical climate and the everyday needs of commuters.
According to the organizers, the ideal bus stop should combine an attractive appearance with functionality, accessibility, and long-term durability.
A key requirement is adequate protection against the island's intense sunlight and heavy rainfall. Designs must also incorporate seating and clearly displayed travel information to make public transportation more comfortable and convenient.
Accessibility is another important consideration. The proposed structures should accommodate passengers with different mobility needs, ensuring that public transportation facilities can be used by as many people as possible.
In addition, participants must consider maintenance costs, sustainability, and the materials used in construction.
The organizers are specifically looking for structures capable of withstanding storms and other challenging weather conditions. Each proposed bus stop must have an expected lifespan of at least 15 years.
Although registration closes on November 13, participants will have additional time to develop their proposals. Completed designs must be submitted by November 30.
Each submission must include at least three sketches showing the proposed bus stop from the front, side, and perspective views. Participants must also provide a brief written explanation of their concept.
Both hand-drawn and digitally produced designs will be accepted, making the competition accessible to people with different levels of technical experience.
A jury will evaluate the submissions anonymously and select a maximum of ten finalists. The anonymous evaluation process is intended to ensure that proposals are judged on their merits rather than the identities of their creators.
The public will also have an opportunity to participate in selecting the winning design.
Public votes will account for 20 percent of the final evaluation, allowing residents to express their preferences regarding the proposed bus stops.
The ten finalists are scheduled to be announced on December 18, after which public voting will remain open until January 8, 2027.
The competition will conclude with an awards ceremony on January 14, 2027.
Through the initiative, ABC and the Department of Public Works hope to identify designs that could contribute to improving public transportation infrastructure across Curaçao.
For passengers who regularly depend on buses, well-designed shelters could provide meaningful improvements in comfort, particularly during periods of intense heat or unexpected rainfall.
The competition also offers residents an opportunity to participate directly in shaping public infrastructure that serves their communities.
Interested participants are encouraged to complete their registration before the November 13 deadline, even if their designs are not yet finished.
The organizers have not specified when the winning design might be implemented or how many new bus stops could eventually be constructed.