SAN JOSE—Landmarks play a large role in real estate vis-à-vis increased property values and tax revenues. The most iconic cities have cultural landmarks. Of course, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York City has the Statute of Liberty and San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge.

As the tech mecca of the country, it could be assumed that San Jose would have an architectural icon of its own, which it does not. But that is about to change.

San Jose Light Tower Corporation recently closed submissions for its worldwide competition, Urban Confluence Silicon Valley, to construct a landmark in San Jose. The entrants ranged from architects to designers to engineers to environmentalists, all hoping to get the chance to bring their visions to life, Jon Ball, board chair of Urban Confluence Silicon Valley, says. UCSV received almost 1,000 submissions from architects, urban planners and placemakers from more than 72 countries and six continents to create this landmark using different architectural, tech and design elements.