The Developing Areas Research Group of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) annual essay competition is in memory of David W. Smith. David W Smith, who also published under the name of David Drakakis Smith, was an outstanding scholar committed to researching on Third World cities. He died in 1999.
The competition is open to A2 level students in England and Wales and Advanced Higher students in Scotland who are invited to write an essay of up to 1500 words to a title chosen by DARG. This year’s essay title was ‘With reference to one city in the Global South, discuss the key opportunities and challenges that cities pose for sustainable development‘ .
We at DARG are delighted to announce the winner of the David W. Smith Memorial Prize 2017, Anna McIntyre from Cheltenham College. Anna’s essay offered a thorough treatment of sustainability in cities, assessing the key opportunities and challenges for sustainable development in Bamako. She wins £100 in book vouchers from Routledge Publishers.
We have also awarded a Special Commendation to Arthur Fooks, from Eton College, who wrote about Lagos, Nigeria.
Many thanks to all who submitted an essay. We hope you will continue with your work on development geography and your engagement with sustainability.
The 2018 competition will be announced in Autumn this year so please keep an eye out for details.