New to the Architect of the Year Awards for 2025, the UK Design Capital of the Year recognises outstanding leadership in architecture, placemaking and regeneration across the UK. This award celebrates cities demonstrating strategic ambition in shaping the built environment.

1. Cambridge

Cambridge Recognised for its standout urban extensions, Cambridge has pursued joined-up growth through thoughtful, masterplanned communities. Its approach to sustainable, high-quality urban expansion sets a benchmark for how edge-of-city development can be done well, blending long-term thinking with design excellence.



2. Glasgow

Glasgow stands out for the strength of its local architectural community and a planning system that supports rather than stifles design ambition. It was singled out as a rare UK city where trust exists between planners and designers, enabling confident, place-sensitive development. Glasgow's culture of collaboration makes it a deserving contender.



 3. Manchester

Manchester Widely recognised for its design maturity, Manchester is home to strong local practices and trusted by planners who enable thoughtful, high-quality projects. The city is delivering well-designed public realm and development across its core and neighbourhoods, combining civic confidence with a progressive planning culture. It is consistently cited as a national leader in design delivery.



 4. Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne A city with a long history of design ambition, now delivering at scale through projects like Helix and Pilgrim Street. These public–private partnerships demonstrate how urban regeneration, innovation, and sustainable development can be coordinated through masterplanning and planning policy. Newcastle offers a model for city-centre transformation rooted in design quality and economic renewal.