AtkinsRéalis Partners with Futurecity to Integrate Cultural Strategy into Urban Development

AtkinsRéalis and Futurecity have announced a global partnership. The partnership will initially focus on the Middle East, where major investment in arts, culture and destination development is reshaping cities. A core part of the agreement is the creation of the Futurecity Lab, a shared platform for research, cultural foresight, and market intelligence in global cultural placemaking. The Futurecity Lab will inform AtkinsRéalis’ planning, engineering and master-planning work, helping projects strengthen identity and compete internationally.

The initiative reflects growing recognition that cultural identity and user experience are central to modern city-making. Cultural districts, creative neighbourhoods and experience-led destinations are influencing investment, tourism and long-term urban value. AtkinsRéalis and Futurecity will support governments and developers in delivering places that are sustainable, competitive and culturally distinctive.

Matthew Tribe, Senior Vice President, Buildings and Places, AtkinsRéalis, said, “This collaboration brings cultural depth into the core of major development programmes. Working with Futurecity strengthens our ability to help clients create destinations with clear identity, long-term value, and a meaningful sense of place. Across the Middle East and other fast-evolving markets, this combined expertise allows us to support governments and developers in delivering projects that resonate with people and stand out globally.”

Mark Davy, CEO and Founder of Futurecity, said, “Futurecity and AtkinsRéalis have created a unique partnership that sets a new approach to city-making. By embedding culture-led placemaking into masterplanning and strategic work from the outset, we offer a groundbreaking service shaping the next generation of urban developments. Across the Middle East, where significant investment in the arts is reshaping national transformation agendas, we support governments and developers in delivering culturally distinctive places designed for lasting value.”

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