Explosive Valencia – futuristic imagination and the power of tradition in creating the image of urban spaces. Competition and conflict, or coexistence and praise of diversity?

Abstract

Selected districts of Valencia and the gradual transformation of their image are presented in this article. The formulation of an appropriate strategy of action and the effect of an example that were initiated by the construction of the City of Arts and Sciences have broken through the stagnation in thinking about space. Revitalisation efforts have been initiated in many of the city’s districts, as well as in its suburban zone. The great explosion of ideas and emotions also carried over to enhancing the historical traditions of the city and the holistic, multi-directional approach to the subject matter of renewal, providing the city with economic stimulation. The author’s own analyses presented in the article pertain to: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences), the new development of the Poblats Maritims coastal district, the Ciutat Fallera district and the Orba district of the town of Alfafar, located in Valencia’s metropolitan area. Various proposals for transforming the spatial structure of these districts point to the possibility of conducting an experimental hybrid policy intended to reconcile economic rescaling, entrepreneurship and cultural regionalism in the planned landscape.

Keywords

• space
• coexistence
• city
• inner city
• suburban zone
• revitalisation
• diversity
• futuristic architecture