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The Social Viability of Culture-led Urban Transformation Processes: Evidence from the Bicocca District, Milan

Author

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  • Pierluigi Sacco

    (The Faculty of Arts and Design, IUAV University, Dorsoduro 2206 Convento delle Terese, Venezia, VE, 30123, Italy, sacco@iuav.it)

  • Giorgio Tavano Blessi

    (The Faculty of Arts and Design, IUAV University, Dorsoduro 2206 Convento delle Terese, Venezia, VE, 30123, Italy, g.tavano@iuav.it)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationships between cultural activities/investments and urban transformation processes, with reference to the transformation of the Bicocca district in the metropolitan core of Milan. Bicocca has experienced a radical change in its social, economic and environmental profile as a consequence of the transition from a heavily industrial development model to a characteristically post-industrial one. This case study offers an instructive example for the understanding of how intangible resources determine transitional modes and outcomes of urban transformation, and in particular of the leading role of cultural investment in the shaping of the local network of knowledge production and circulation, sociality and identity. The paper stresses the need to strike a careful balance between the physical and intangible components of cultural initiatives—i.e. between activities and investment in facilities (cultural `software' and `hardware' respectively). Whereas the latter provide relatively immediate benefits in terms of economic impact and of endowment of usable physical capital, it is equally necessary to pursue carefully selected programmes of initiatives that involve and challenge the local community at various levels, fostering a social attitude based on intrinsic motivation rather than on instrumental opportunism. Without proper, supporting `social software', massive investment in new cultural facilities may assume a dysfunctional `cosmetic' character that is likely to exacerbate the critical aspects of urban transformation rather than tempering them.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierluigi Sacco & Giorgio Tavano Blessi, 2009. "The Social Viability of Culture-led Urban Transformation Processes: Evidence from the Bicocca District, Milan," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(5-6), pages 1115-1135, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:5-6:p:1115-1135
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009103857
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    Cited by:

    1. Margherita Carlucci & Francesco Maria Chelli & Luca Salvati, 2018. "Toward a New Cycle: Short-Term Population Dynamics, Gentrification, and Re-Urbanization of Milan (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Kagan Dogruyol & Zeeshan Aziz & Yusuf Arayici, 2018. "Eye of Sustainable Planning: A Conceptual Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration Planning Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-22, April.
    3. HaeRan Shin & Quentin Stevens, 2013. "How Culture and Economy Meet in South Korea: The Politics of Cultural Economy in Culture-led Urban Regeneration," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 1707-1723, September.
    4. Pier Luigi Sacco & Guido Ferilli & Blessi Giorgio Tavano, 2012. "Sviluppo locale a base culturale: quando funziona e perch?? Alla ricerca di un framework di riferimento," PRISMA Economia - Societ? - Lavoro, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2012(1), pages 9-27.
    5. Pier Luigi Sacco & Alessandro Crociata, 2013. "A Conceptual Regulatory Framework for the Design and Evaluation of Complex, Participative Cultural Planning Strategies," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 1688-1706, September.
    6. Corina TURSIE, 2017. "Culture-Led Urban Regeneration of Industrial Derelict Places. Case study: Paltim Hats Factory of Timisoara - A Cultural Social Enterprise," RAIS Journal for Social Sciences, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, vol. 1(1), pages 7-23, December.

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