Lowell, Massachusetts has been officially designated the first “Frontrunner City” on Urban Transformation in the United States under the Global Frontrunner Cities Initiative led by the Urban Economy Forum (UEF), making a transformative milestone in sustainable, inclusive, equitable, and innovation-driven urban development.

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From L to R: City Councilor Sokhary Chau, UML Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Anne Maglia, City Councilor John Descoteaux, MA State Representative Vanna Howard, City Councilor Rita Mercier, City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., City Councilor Kimberly Scott, UML Chancellor Julie Chen, MA Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward Augustus, World Urban Pavilion Co-Director Eduardo López Moreno, MA Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Mayor Daniel P. Rourke, UEF Head of the Chair's Office Saman Motamedi, UEF Executive Director Kamran Espili, City Councilor Paul Ratha Yem, City Councilor Corey Belanger, City Councilor Corey Robinson, City Councilor Erik Gitschier

The announcement and signing ceremony were formally made on February 7, 2025, at the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park Powered by Daniels, in the presence of high-level dignitaries. Among the keynote guests was the Honorable Bob Rae, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), who endorsed the initiative as a model for advancing integrated urban policy and sustainable development. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UEF and the City of Lowell, establishing a strategic partnership to operationalize this recognition.

To activate the Initiative on the ground and operationalize this milestone, a high-level delegation from the UEF conducted an official mission to Lowell. This visit included meetings with the Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke, members of the Lowell City Council, City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., and senior municipal staff, focusing on planning, implementation, and financing mechanisms for the Frontrunner City Program.

As part of the mission, the UEF delegation also held a high-impact meeting with University of Massachusetts Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, who accepted the invitation to position UMass Lowell as a core academic partner of the initiative. The Chancellor confirmed the university’s commitment to hosting “UNIVER-city Labs” – transdisciplinary urban innovation hubs that will support research, monitoring, and applied urban solutions.

During a special session of the Lowell City Council, Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the Urban Economy Forum, delivered the following message:

“Lowell, your city—and now our city—is officially now on the global map of urban transformation. This is not just a symbolic recognition; it is a strategic commitment to action. True transformation is only possible when driven by the people who live, work, and build their lives here. Together, we are launching a model for cities around the world –where community vision, local leadership, innovation, and sustainability intersect.

This is a strategic and highly action-oriented program, designed to generate measurable impact, long-term benefits, and co-ownership among all those who choose to engage with it—whether they are public authorities, knowledge institutions, private sector actors, or community organizations.”

The UEF Delegation, including Dr. Eduardo López Moreno (Co-Director, World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park Powered by Daniels), Kamran Espili (Executive Director of UEF), and Saman Motamedi (Head of the Chair’s Office and Senior Advisor at UEF), held bilateral dialogue with U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, the U.S. representative for Massachusetts’s 3^rd congressional district, reaffirming the need for multilevel governance and federal alignment to support the initiative’s implementation.

“Lowell’s recognition as the first Frontrunner City in the United States is a testament to the innovation, resilience, and collaboration that define our community,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “This honor reflects the tireless work being done across the Mill City to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy. I’m proud to be born and raised in, and now represent, a community that leads by example, and I’m grateful to the Urban Economy Forum for shining a global spotlight on Lowell’s progress.”

Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll expressed full support for the Frontrunner initiative, affirming that Massachusetts welcomes this effort and is prepared to help deploy the necessary conditions for its success. Her remarks reinforced the Commonwealth’s role as an enabling partner for sustainable urban innovation and development.

Mayor Rourke stated: “This milestone represents the culmination of relationship-building, shared goals, and a deep belief in Lowell’s potential. The Frontrunner City designation is not just a title – it's a testament to the work already happening across our neighborhoods, our institutions, and at City Hall. It signals to the world what we already know: Lowell is a place where inclusive ideas take root, where innovation is embraced, and where communities lead the way in shaping a stronger, more equitable future.”

City Manager Golden added: “Lowell is a city of opportunity – where ambition meets action, and where every resident, business, and institution has a role in shaping our future. This designation as the first U.S. Frontrunner City amplifies that promise, bringing global partnerships that translate into real growth. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves with our community, universities, and industry to ensure sustainable transformation benefits every corner of our city.”

Community engagement was a core component of the mission. Local NGOs, grassroots organizations, and civil society actors participated in dedicated roundtables to ensure that equity, access, local interests, and lived experiences are central to the frontrunner model. This participatory approach underscores a key tenet of the initiative: sustainable transformation must be co-created with those most affected by it.

Additional stakeholder meetings were held with real estate developers and private sector partners to explore joint investment opportunities and knowledge-based urban demonstrative projects.

Looking Ahead: A Global Platform for Innovation and Partnership

The official public launch of Lowell’s Frontrunner City initiative will be announced soon. Meanwhile, UEF and the City of Lowell jointly encourage global partners to engage, invest, and co-create this bold endeavor.

They extend an open invitation to international companies, frontrunner technologists, and solution-driven innovators to contribute their ideas and expertise. Lowell presents a unique opportunity for investment in futuristic urban pilots where inclusive governance, public readiness, and innovation intersect.

This is a valuable opportunity not only for the City of Lowell but for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a globally recognized hub of science, academia, and research. Scholars, universities, and research institutions are especially encouraged to join this collaborative platform and help shape the next generation of sustainable, inclusive urban transformation models.

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For high-res images from July 2025, please visit: https://lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/3399

Please credit City of Lowell for any usage.

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