Beauty and the Bus: The Role of a Creative Strategy and Public Art to Elevate Public Transport

Both public transport and public art are often undervalued and disinvested, but when brought together strategically, can make public transport better, spread joy, increase community engagement and make people happier. In working in the Boston region to improve public transport and bus priority over the past 10 years, we found that the first thing we needed to do was build political will and community engagement, while elevating the status of public transport.

Through the use of branding, design and art, we were able to tap into local community assets like grassroots and artists, and together develop public domain attributes that everyone could enjoy. Investing in public art alongside public transport reflects the value we place on both and is an opportunity to build community expression and show respect to the community. This webinar highlighted the creative and inspiring work done to bring art, branding, design and public transport together to reclaim dignity and purpose in the public.


Moderator:

- Alphonse Tam, Global Communications Manager, ITDP Global


Speakers:

- Ann Sussman, President of the Human Architecture + Planning Institute

- Adrian Gill, CEO of Ad Hoc Industries

-LaCrecia Thomson, Arts & Culture Planner, City of Lynn, Massachusetts