UK placemakers Futurecity goes stateside

Futurecity has entered into a joint venture with the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and The Boston Foundation.

Leaders from Massachusetts’ three largest cities – Boston, Worcester and Springfield – joined arts and civic leaders on 12 July 2016 to launch Futurecity\Massachusetts, a new approach to transforming cities that puts art, culture, and creativity at the centre of redevelopment and revitalisation.

Futurecity Mass will work with city Mayors, urban planners, arts, cultural and business leaders in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester on key real estate projects within state-designated cultural districts in the three cities, targeting areas ripe for development and job growth.

It is the first US effort to advance the strategies of Mark Davy and his international placemaking agency Futurecity, which has created more than 200 partnerships across the globe that reposition cultural assets from community amenities to marketplace drivers. Futurecity is in Massachusetts until 19 July to begin the work.

Mark Davy, Founder of Futurecity, said, “World cities are chasing increasingly similar goals: a distinctive cultural DNA that sets them apart, and a resulting atmosphere to attract further talent and inward investment. Investing in arts and culture pays dividends that sustain a place for generations. Successful places – offering varied, lucid, pleasurable, beautiful, surprising experiences – depend on a serious commitment to culture in order to remain ahead of the pack.”

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said, “Arts are at the center of a city’s purpose, and in Boston we are working to integrate arts, culture and creativity into every aspect of city life. Futurecity aligns with the goals identified in our city’s cultural plan, Boston Creates, by providing us with new tools to harness the exceptional creativity that exists in our city, while building on the cultural assets that will continue to make Boston a thriving city now and in the future.”