Urban Social Movements and the Production of Urban Space

Abstract

This article is a brief résumé of a three years' research work on urban social movements A theoretical framework for the analysis of urban social movements is outlined and a methodology for their study is developed. The case of Barcelona is drawn on to illustrate the conclusions, and to demonstrate that urban movements can be social, e.g. that they can modify the power relationships between social classes In the case of Barcelona these movements started when small groups of neighbours claimed better conditions in their urban environment and collective consumption, and have developed during the last fifteen years to become one of the most important social forces in the whole region of Catalonia, a force which cannot be ignored by the local authorities.

Introduction to the Handbook on Urban Social Movements

“…Susana Finquelievich (1981) underlines that various urban social movements emerged as a result of conflicts caused by advanced capitalism -generating for instance deficits in public infrastructures and services -and/or deficiencies in state intervention as can be seen in the neoliberal urban policies. The resulting 'urban crisis' means that the urban system no longer achieves its main functions and creates deficits at a collective consumption level, at the same time undermining the ongoing democratization processes.…”