El Raval and Mile End: A Comparative Study of Two Cultural Quarters between Urban Regeneration and Creative Clusters

Abstract

This research aims at clarifying the development of creative and cultural clusters embedded in two emerging artistic neighbourhoods in Barcelona and Montreal. This comparative study intends to consider these quarters as new cultural centralities located in ex-industrial areas and it demonstrates how the cultural regeneration as well as urban planning are two fundamental dimensions for re-structuring these post-modern cities. After the decline of the industrial sectors it will be necessary to regenerate and to reconvert these dismissed spaces and marginalized quarters in order to define a new urban identity which organizes the urban space in terms of systemic and inclusive approaches. We have studied these phenomena and we have tried to highlight how two similar cities are leading to establish a new functionality in terms of socio-economic, cultural and territorial development.

The Role of Theatre Venues in the Transformation of Barcelona

“…Next to the new nightclubs appeared a variety of theatres which helped to established Avinguda Paral•lel as the theatre district of Barcelona par excellence. Based on a mixture of tradition and centrality, El Paral•lel and the Raval, have maintained an intense theatre activity through to the present day (Rius 2008, Rius 2014, Tremblay and Battaglia 2012, Espinosa 2011.…”

Neighbourhood change among creative–cultural districts in mid-sized US metropolitan areas, 2000–10

“…Although much has been written of the rise of cultural districts and creative/culture-led gentrification, the research in this area has heretofore been primarily qualitative or limited to specific case studies (e.g., Catungal et al, 2009;Gotham, 2005;Ley, 2003;Stern & Seifert, 2010;Tremblay & Battaglia, 2012;Zimmerman, 2008;Zukin & Braslow, 2011). Though other studies have examined neighbourhood change across multiple cities (Farrell & Lee, 2011;Wei & Knox, 2013), the broad scope of their analyses, generally involving a wide range of neighbourhood typologies, has yet precluded a detailed discussion of CCDs specifically.…”

“…BIDs, and other representative organizations, market themselves using a variety of media, including promotional websites. Cultural amenities, attractions and festivals are commonly featured on websites as part of a larger strategy to promote economic development and urban revitalization (Pratt, 2008;Tremblay & Battaglia, 2012). Marketing campaigns are often directed toward Florida's (2002) creative class, and young professionals seeking 'cool' and 'creative' neighbourhoods with all the amenities needed to support their 'Live, Work, Play' lifestyles and 'Shop, Eat, Drink' consumption habits.…”

“…Much of the literature on CCDs to date has focused on a single city, or a limited set of cities, to examine critically the nature and process of neighbourhood change at specific times and in specific places (Catungal, Leslie, & Hii, 2009;Tremblay & Battaglia, 2012;Zimmerman, 2008). This paper presents a broad overview of the CCD in the United States with the primary goal of elucidating more general patterns in their recent physical and socio-economic transformations, and to speculate on the potential implications of these changes.…”

“…At the forefront of the 're-urbanization' trend are young singles (particularly members of Generation Y or the 'Millennials', born 1977-94) and childless married couples, who are exercising their consumer preference for more vibrant, convenient, and 'authentic' urban neighbourhoods and lifestyles (Birch, 2005;Glaeser & Gottlieb, 2006; Urban Land Institute, 2013;Zukin, 2008). The growing appeal of these neighbourhoods among well-educated 'creative' or 'knowledge' workers have, over the last two decades, precipitated significant demographic and socio-economic shifts, in a process Peck (2005, p. 751) has described as 'creative gentrification'.Much of the literature on CCDs to date has focused on a single city, or a limited set of cities, to examine critically the nature and process of neighbourhood change at specific times and in specific places (Catungal, Leslie, & Hii, 2009;Tremblay & Battaglia, 2012;Zimmerman, 2008). This paper presents a broad overview of the CCD in the United States with the primary goal of elucidating more general patterns in their recent physical and socio-economic transformations, and to speculate on the potential implications of these changes.…”