A balancing act: urban regeneration through arts & culture

Abstract

Starting with the 1970s, major European cities successfully added arts and culture to their mix of urban renewal strategies. When art is part of the vision for a better city, streets are transformed into open-air galleries, buildings become alternative environments for creative expression, and the quality-of-life increases. This positive transformation tends to attract newcomers with higher income levels, which can lead to gentrification, a phenomenon which negatively affects local communities. Finding the equilibrium in this balancing act demands carefully planned urban regeneration strategies, aligned with local contexts and flexible enough to address the various needs of the long-term inhabitants.

Keywords

• urban regeneration
• arts
• culture