(Routledge Advances in Regional Economics, Science and Policy)
by Enrico Tommarchi (Author)
Culture-
and event-led regeneration have been catalysts for the transformation
of redundant urban port areas and for the reframing of the image of many
port cities, which notably feature among mega-event bidding and host
cities. However, there is little understanding of the impacts of these
processes on port-city relationships, as well as of how port city
cultures shape mega events and the related regeneration strategies. The
book examines the underexplored mutual links between, on the one hand,
urban and socio-economic regeneration driven by cultural and sporting
mega events and, on the other hand, the spatial, political and symbolic
ties between cities and their ports.
By adopting a
cross-national, comparative perspective, with in-depth case studies
(Hull, Rotterdam, Genoa and Valencia) and examples from other port
cities across the world where mega events were held, the book engages
with issues such as the tension between port and cultural uses,
reactions and opposition to mega events in port cities, clashing urban
imaginaries drawing on port activity and culture, the role of port
authorities and companies in the city’s cultural life, the
spectacularisation and commodification of local maritime culture and
heritage, processes of cultural demaritimisation and remaritimisation of
port cities.
The book is therefore a contribution
towards the bridging of port city and mega-event studies, and it
provides insights for port city policy makers and mega-event promoters,
drawing from a range of international experiences. The book also shows
how societal and political change in the current
‘ontologically-insecure’ times may undermine the very paradigm of
culture- and event-led regeneration in the years to come.
