The Collaborative City

Helping Bloomberg Philanthropies illustrate a model for collaborative cities through public-private partnerships.

Service

Capabilities

Collateral Design

Stylized abstract illustration featuring two overlapping outlines of hand or arm shapes, mainly in red and blue colors against a light grey background. The shapes have rounded edges and curve in opposite directions, creating a symmetrical, mirrored effect.

Under the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City engaged in record numbers of public-private partnerships to address urban challenges. These collaborations between government, business, nonprofits and individuals capitalize on the special abilities of different sectors to affect change. In the tradition of the Gilded Age philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who helped build many of the city’s public libraries, the Mayor strove to leave of legacy of mutually beneficial cooperation between business, community and City Hall.

A hand holds a book titled "The Collaborative City" featuring stylized graphics of abstract buildings in blue, red, and turquoise on a gray background. The subtitle reads: "How partnerships between public and private sectors can achieve common goals.

An open book showing two pages: the left page features the title "Providing Services" and a list of contact locations, with a hand holding the page. The right page displays abstract, geometric shapes in blue, white, and red on a gray background.

An open book on a light gray background. The left page has a white background with blue text and is titled "The High Line." The right page has a red background with white text and four small icons above short paragraphs. A hand is holding the left page.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2013 report on The Collaborative City, written by Freedman Consulting, explores the breadth and impact of public-private collaborations during the 12 years Bloomberg was in office. These include dozens of projects in several areas of focus, from the popular High Line park to regional disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy. With in-depth case studies as well as considered analysis and best practices, the report is an enormous trove of practical information, policy advice and interesting stories in the ice of a great city.

Two tablet screens display a text-heavy document titled "Young Men's Initiative." The left screen shows an introduction and objectives, while the right screen covers impact and offers tips for city leaders. Both screens have a blue background with white text and icons.

A row of 12 colorful icons on a white background. Icons include arrows pointing in different directions, a hexagonal structure, people, connected nodes, a dart hitting a target, a book with a link, a piggy bank, tools, a sailboat, interlocking shapes, and two people.

An open book on a gray surface, with the left page displaying the text "Innovating by Experimenting" and the right page showing "Case Studies" with colorful, abstract molecular patterns in blue, red, and white spread across both pages. A hand is holding the left edge of the book.

A person is holding an open book displaying a two-page spread titled "NYC Green Carts." The left page features text and small icons on a blue background. The right page includes more text and quotes on the same blue background.

An open magazine displaying a page with various diagrams, charts, and text. The design includes colorful geometric shapes like circles, arrows, and hexagons in teal, blue, red, and grey. The page appears to discuss strategies and solutions, possibly in a business or technical context.

An open book with a black page on the left showing white text titled "Introduction" and a white page on the right displaying a colorful chart or table. The background is solid gray.

Bloomberg Philanthropies asked Hyperakt to design, lay out and illustrate the lengthy and complex report. Our goal was to make the content-dense publication inviting, clear and a pleasure to read. We worked with a 4-color palette of bright red, black, grey and aqua, Large blocks of text, large spreads, and custom iconography are saturated with vivid, bold colors that help guide readers through each of the five project areas.