IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

Downtown Framingham, Massachusetts, reflects a dynamic urban landscape shaped by its vibrant immigrant communities, particularly Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking populations. This cultural diversity has created a unique sense of place but presents challenges for the public sector in aligning revitalization efforts with the community’s values and needs. This study starts by providing a comprehensive demographic profile of entrepreneurs in the immediate region. It then uses the Photovoice methodology, a participatory approach that empowers individuals to document and share their personal experiences through photography, to identify the elements of the downtown area that hold cultural and emotional significance to them. Participants, selected from downtown business owners, are asked to capture aspects that contribute to their sense of place. Contextualized within the broader demographic profile, these narratives uncover key characteristics of the built environment, social interactions, and cultural landmarks that help shape the area’s unique identity. These insights aim to inform revitalization initiatives that better incorporate heritage, community involvement, and social cohesion. Ultimately, this work seeks to bridge the gap between top-down development objectives and the lived realities of immigrant entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive and meaningful urban renewal.