Written by 
The Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA) was honored with the prestigious “Partners in Progress” Award at the 2024 Bay Urban Visioning Awards on October 9. The award was presented at the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain during the WRLDCTY global forum and Bay Awards Summit, celebrating pioneering urban initiatives that demonstrate visionary collaboration and long-term impact.
“Winning the inaugural Bay Award for our Cultural Center Guiding Plan is an incredible honor, recognizing the collaborative spirit driving Detroit’s revitalization,” said Susan Mosey, interim executive director of the DCCA. “This award affirms that our partnership stands among global leaders, demonstrating how public and private entities can unite to shape a future centered on inclusivity, culture, and sustainability.”
Bilbao Metropoli 30, a public-private association comprising over 140 stakeholders, launched the inaugural edition of The Bay Urban Visioning Awards. These awards aim to recognize and commend international urban projects with the potential to inspire and motivate professionals involved in urban development. Bilbao, the host city, is globally acclaimed for its remarkable ability to reinvent itself, having transformed from an industrial center into a world-renowned cultural metropolis.
The Partners in Progress award aims to find projects from around the world that have developed public-private collaboration initiatives that substantially improve the competitiveness and well-being of their citizens. The Bay Awards received more than 130 international project entries, representing all five continents. The jury members carefully selected 15 initiatives and projects that have shaped a long-term, sustainable, and collaborative vision for their urban environments. The other two finalists in this category included:
- “Pazos–Peace and Opportunities Strategy” Colombia | Valle del Cauca–Palmira
- Ramallah’s Active Aging Initiatives Palestine | Ramallah
DCCA’s award-winning project, the Cultural Center Planning Initiative, exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration. The initiative brings together 12 leading cultural institutions, local government, academia, and private partners to reimagine Detroit’s 83-acre Cultural Center. With a focus on sustainability, public space innovation, and digital connectivity, the CCPI addresses critical challenges such as climate adaptation, social inclusion, and equitable access to technology.
Building on this collaborative momentum, the initiative is designed to actively engage residents from the City of Detroit and outlying counties through community workshops, design presentations, and public events. This commitment to public involvement ensures that all Detroiters play a central role in shaping the district’s future.
As Anya Sirota, principal of Akoaki and lead architect of the project, reflected: “This recognition highlights the CCPI as more than just a collection of designed spaces—it represents a governance framework that brought together diverse partners around a shared vision. Collaboration, though complex, was crucial in creating public spaces that reflect the values and aspirations of our community.”
The CCPI’s impact extends through events like DLECTRICITY, Educators’ Night, and the New Standards Jazz Series, which infuse Detroit’s Cultural Center with new energy and innovative programming. The launch of the Detroit Cultural Center Association in March 2024 ensures that these efforts will continue to foster regional culture, innovation, and inclusivity.
Recognizing Global Leadership
The award was judged by a distinguished panel of urban thought leaders, including:
- Christian Bason–former CEO of Danish Design Center
- Gabriella Gómez-Mont–founder and CEO of Experimentalista
- Sophie Howe–First Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
- Geci Karuri-Sebina–African Centre for Cities; associate professor at Wits School of Governance
- Bruce Katz–cofounder of New Localism Advisors and received the Heinz Award in Public Policy (2006)
- David Miller–managing director of C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy
- Carlos Moreno–associate professor at Paris IAE–Panthéon Sorbonne; cofounder of ETI Chair; and promoter of “15-Minute City”
- Farah Naz–head of innovation and ESG in Middle East and Africa
- Larry Ng LH–former managing director of World Cities Summit and former prize secretary of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize
- Carmen Santana—architect and partner of ARCHIKUBIK and cofounder of @kubik
- Charles Landry–expert on creativity and urban change
- Greg Clark–Global Fellow of Urban Land Institute and former chair of OECD LEED Forum of Cities and Regions
The jury praised the CCPI for being “an ambitious, holistic, and transformational project” that showcases what can be achieved when diverse stakeholders unite around a shared vision. It highlighted the initiative’s role in reimagining Detroit’s future by promoting sustainable mobility and shifting away from car-dependent urban models.
“It’s gratifying to receive the award from such a distinguished jury—individuals who are at the forefront of global conversations on urban regeneration, cultural infrastructure, and public space design,” said Olivier Philippe, principal of Agence Ter and lead landscape architect of the CCPI. “This award is a reminder of the plan’s enduring relevance and its potential to shape Detroit’s future as it evolves.”
Fundraising Efforts for the CCPI
The Cultural Center Planning Initiative was originally incubated under Midtown Detroit, Inc., over the past seven years before transferring to the DCCA in March 2024. As the initiative enters its next phase, the DCCA is fundraising to redevelop the underground parking deck at Woodward Avenue and Farnsworth Street, owned by the Detroit Institute of Arts. This first capital phase includes the installation of a green roof, aligning with the CCPI’s sustainability goals.
To date, the initiative has raised $29.15 million toward the master plan, public wi-fi installation, cultural programming, and parking deck redevelopment. To fully realize this transformative vision, the DCCA must raise an additional $18 million to complete the redevelopment of the underground parking deck. This project is critical to supporting the district’s infrastructure needs, while the planned green roof installation will further align with the initiative’s environmental sustainability goals.
Current funders of the CCPI include:
- State of Michigan Appropriation
- William Davidson Foundation
- Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation
- Knight Foundation
- Gilbert Family Foundation
- Hudson Webber Foundation
- Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
- The Kresge Foundation
- Walters Family Foundation
- Wayne State University
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Michigan Arts and Culture Council
For more information about the Detroit Cultural Center Association and the Cultural Center Planning Initiative, please visit https://www.midtownculturalconnections.com or contact Annmarie Borucki at [email protected].
About Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA)
Launched in 2024, Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA) is a nonprofit organization that represents 12 of Detroit’s arts, cultural, and educational organizations, including The Carr Center, College for Creative Studies, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library, Hellenic Museum of Michigan, International Institute of Metro Detroit, Michigan Science Center, The Scarab Club, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and The Wright Museum.
About The Bay Urban Visioning Awards
The Bay Urban Visioning Awards, organized by Bilbao Metropoli 30, celebrate global urban projects that address today’s most critical challenges and drive long-term transformation. The awards spotlight initiatives that foster collaboration, sustainability, and urban well-being, offering inspiration for cities worldwide.