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MIDSIZE CITIES EMBRACE

TRANSFORMATIVE PLACEMAKING

Skift Take:
Midsize cities are smart to focus on transformative
placemaking projects that will not only allow them to bridge
together different economic strata and cultural communities,

but become in-demand destinations for travel, events,
meetings, and conferences.

Midsize cities around the world are focusing London, have proven to be successful catalysts for
more on developing public spaces and venues economic development supporting the growth
that provide a forum for bringing together of retail, dining, entertainment, and cultural
different communities and cultures. Today the experiences.
success of cities in the global visitor economy is
based in large part on their ability to connect a Now, cities from Washington, D.C. to Abu Dhabi
wide range of locals and visitors in places that are transforming their neighborhoods with public
celebrate progress, creativity, and innovation spaces and venues designed to bridge communi-
— which is becoming commonly referred to as ties among different economic strata and cultural
"transformative placemaking." makeup. Furthermore, the vision benefits cities in
that these types of transformative placemaking
While this theme has been inherent in the devel- projects are attractive destinations for leisure
opment of the world’s global capitals through- travel, festivals and events, and meetings and
out the centuries, midsize cities are embracing conferences of all sizes.
transformative placemaking more intentionally.
Moreover, the strategy often prioritizes inclusive The 11th Street Bridge project in Washington,
and equitable development that connects both D.C., for example, is a high-concept architectural
high-growth and underserved neighborhoods. venue for public events, connecting the city’s
central core with the distressed communities
Placemaking projects, ranging from The High across the Anacostia River. In San Antonio, Texas,
Line in New York CIty’s Meatpacking District the San Pedro Creek development is revitalizing
to the creative tech community in Shoreditch, the waterways between the central downtown

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