A public-private initiative to redevelop the Detroit Cultural Center was honored with the prestigious “Partners in Progress” Award at the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The project was designed by Taubman College’s Anya Sirota and her firm, Akoaki, in collaboration with the Paris-based landscape architecture practice Agence Ter.
Sirota, associate dean for academic initiatives and associate professor of architecture, accepted the award in October at the inaugural 2024 Bay Urban Visioning Awards, which celebrate pioneering urban initiatives that demonstrate visionary collaboration and long-term impact.
The Detroit Cultural Center Association’s award-winning project, the Cultural Center Planning Initiative (CCPI), 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.
“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,” said Sirota, lead architect of the project and founding principal of Detroit-based Akoaki. “Collaboration, though complex, was crucial in creating public spaces that reflect the values and aspirations of our community.”
The awards jury praised the initiative as “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.
“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 Detroit Cultural District. “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.”
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 Cultural Center Planning Initiative was originally incubated under Midtown Detroit Inc. over seven years before transferring to the Detroit Cultural District in March 2024. The Detroit Cultural District 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.
Detroit Cultural District Association is a nonprofit organization that represents 12 of Detroit’s arts, cultural, and educational organizations: 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.
