A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Mega-project meltdown: Post-politics, neoliberal urban regeneration and Valencia's fiscal crisis
Drawing on the literature of post-politics and post-democracy, the literature of neoliberalism as mode of governance and the study of the city of Valencia's long-standing emphasis on the development of prestige mega-projects of iconic architecture as a means to achieve economic regeneration and urban revitalisation, this paper evaluates the social and economic effects of urban mega-projects and analyses them as conduits of neoliberal globalisation and de-politicisation of the public sphere. On the one hand, an urban policy based on the use of mega-projects represents a turn from welfarism to entrepreneurialism which, beyond the evident urban transformation and re-imaging, results in an increase in social inequality, the creation of precarious jobs, and an underinvestment in social services. On the other hand, the mechanisms used to implement mega-projects - including both exceptionality measures and privatisation of management through the creation of semi-public delivery bodies - result in a lack of transparency and democratic control, which in turn lead to more authoritative and privatised forms of decision-making. Moreover, mega-projects - through their focus on expertise and technocracy and a populist politics and discourse constructed around them - play a crucial role in the erosion of democracy and the establishment of a consensual politics where ideological struggle does not exist.
Mega-project meltdown: Post-politics, neoliberal urban regeneration and Valencia's fiscal crisis
Drawing on the literature of post-politics and post-democracy, the literature of neoliberalism as mode of governance and the study of the city of Valencia's long-standing emphasis on the development of prestige mega-projects of iconic architecture as a means to achieve economic regeneration and urban revitalisation, this paper evaluates the social and economic effects of urban mega-projects and analyses them as conduits of neoliberal globalisation and de-politicisation of the public sphere. On the one hand, an urban policy based on the use of mega-projects represents a turn from welfarism to entrepreneurialism which, beyond the evident urban transformation and re-imaging, results in an increase in social inequality, the creation of precarious jobs, and an underinvestment in social services. On the other hand, the mechanisms used to implement mega-projects - including both exceptionality measures and privatisation of management through the creation of semi-public delivery bodies - result in a lack of transparency and democratic control, which in turn lead to more authoritative and privatised forms of decision-making. Moreover, mega-projects - through their focus on expertise and technocracy and a populist politics and discourse constructed around them - play a crucial role in the erosion of democracy and the establishment of a consensual politics where ideological struggle does not exist.
Mega-project meltdown: Post-politics, neoliberal urban regeneration and Valencia's fiscal crisis
Amparo Tarazona Vento (author)
Urban studies ; 54
2017
Article (Journal)
English
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