Columbia Cultural Master Plan

Lord Cultural Resources was contracted to work with General Growth Properties to develop a cultural development strategy for Columbia that is reflective of the town's unique history as one of America’s first master planned communities as well as the needs of its 100,000 residents. The intention of this plan will be to build upon the exceptional reputation of Columbia as, “One of the Best Places to Live in the US.”

Phase One of the master planning process is the needs assessment, which was completed in 2008 and examined existing trends, organizations, facilities and community needs; study the potential for additional development; and recommend future directions for cultural development in Columbia. In 2010, Lord Cultural Resources embarked upon Phase Two of the process, the development of the concept plan and recommendations for establishment of a Cultural Commission for Columbia. Lord Cultural Resources interviewed key opinion leaders in the community, held public meetings and focus groups with Columbia residents and researched best practices among cultural plans nationally and internationally to inform this process, which resulted in a conceptual cultural plan for General Growth Properties to implement.