Code4City Hackathon
Code4City is a one-day, high-impact hackathon organized by the Applied Urban Science Association, bringing together students, professionals, builders, and urban thinkers to tackle pressing urban challenges.
Register by: April 21
Team Size: 1 to 4 participants
NOTE: Registering does not guarantee acceptance. After registration closes, teams will be notified of their status by April 23rd.
Format
12-hour event with ~8 hours of build time
Mentors, curated tutorials, and continuous support provided
Pre-final demo feedback to refine projects
Themes
Participants must design solutions aligned with at least one of the following areas:
IoT & Smart Sensing: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or mobile sensors for real-time urban data
Advanced LLM Agents: Autonomous agents with reasoning and multi-step decision-making
Geospatial Intelligence (GIS): QGIS, GeoPandas, Google Maps APIs for spatial analysis
Machine Learning Algorithms: Predictive models and data-driven solutions for urban challenges
Computer Vision: Monitoring, detection, and automation for city systems
AR/VR: Immersive solutions for planning, training, or engagement
Optimization & Simulation: Linear programming, Monte Carlo methods, or similar techniques
Participants can combine multiple technologies to create more impactful solutions.
Note: Hardware, cloud credits, or other resources will not be provided.
Use the above technologies to address real-world urban challenges, including but not limited to:
Urban mobility and transportation
Housing and infrastructure
Climate and sustainability
Public safety and accessibility
Urban AI and data-driven decision making
Schedule
9:00 - 9:30 AM - Check-In & Registration
9:30 - 10:00 AM - Opening Remarks & Briefing
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Hacking Session (Build Phase)
6:00 - 7:00 PM - Project Presentations & Demos (Recruiters will be present)
7:00 - 7:30 PM - Judging & Deliberation
7:30 - 9:00 PM - Awards, Closing & Networking
Registration
Participants must submit a short project proposal during registration. Teams will be selected based on clarity, feasibility, and alignment with urban challenges.
Pro Tip: Simpler explanations often resonate more with judges than complex technical descriptions. Focus on the "why" to make your proposal stand out.
Resources & Support
Tutorials on AI agents, open data, dashboards, and more
Mentors in urban policy, civic tech, and GIS
Guidance throughout ideation to final presentation
Prizes & Opportunities
Cash prizes and additional awards (TBD)
Opportunity to present to recruiters
Networking with leaders in urban tech
FAQ Highlights
Can I apply solo?
Yes. You can participate individually or as part of a team of up to 4.
What should I bring?
Laptop, charger, and any tools you prefer to use.
Will food be provided?
Yes, food will be provided throughout the event.
Is it only for students?
No, the hackathon is open to anyone with an interest in building urban solutions.
Organizers & Contact
Organized by the Applied Urban Science Association, a student organization based at the Center for Urban Science and Progress at NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.