Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh recently announced the launch of the second Public Space Invitational, a civic design competition that aims to reinvent Boston’s public spaces.

The mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, along with the Boston Art Commission and the city’s streets cabinet, are asking teams of designers, artists and engineers to submit ideas on how to make civic space, infrastructure or civic processes more inviting, functional and fun. Up to five projects will be selected and winning teams will receive up to $9,500 in funding for construction and implementation.

“This competition serves as a great opportunity for Boston’s talented and creative community to show us how we can use pilot projects to improve the functionality and attraction to our public spaces,” Walsh said in a statement. “We are always looking for new ways to provide great city services and engage members of the public, and through this competition, we are building on our mission to create thriving, healthy and innovative civic spaces across our city.”

This year’s competition features three challenges – analog, digital and bonus.

• The analog challenge, in partnership with the Boston Society of Architects, seeks traditional, yet innovative approaches to improve the streetscape.
• The digital challenge, in partnership with Microsoft Technology and Civic Engagement, seeks projects that experiment with technology, sensors and a “generally-connected world,” according to Walsh’s office.
• The bonus challenge, in partnership with the MBTA and Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Matthew Hincman, seeks a project that would make bus shelters – specifically at Mattapan Station – more inviting, attractive and comfortable.

Submissions will be accepted through April 3. The application is available here.