The second competition of the  Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction was launched at the first annual symposium Greening and Densifying - How to envision sustainable cities. The symposium, organised by the Quebec Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council, gathered renowned specialists from the engineering, architectural and urban planning professions.  
 
The first Holcim Awards competition in 2005/2006 attracted more than 3000 submissions from 120 countries, and resulted in 46 prizes being won.
 
The Holcim Awards competition showcases sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socio-economic and socio-cultural issues informing contemporary building and construction. Entries in the competition can be submitted online from June 1, 2007 until February 29, 2008, in English only.  
 
All building projects are eligible for the competition if construction had not started before June 1, 2007. The winners of the North American competition will be announced in Montreal next year (fall 2008) and will automatically qualify for the global competition to be held in 2009. The prize money for the five regional competitions and the global awards totals US$2m.  
 
In addition to construction projects at an advanced stage of design, the Awards competition seeks visions and ideas at a conceptual level. This special category called “Next Generation” is open for professionals younger than 35 years of age.