According to Sassen 'the significance of a city is a setting for engendering new types of citizen practices and new types of incompletely formalized subjects' (2006:315). In this paper we focus on the links between social movements (indignados) and creative communities to understand 1) how the latter has been influenced and help position themselves within an scenario of crisis, precariousness in a context of smart and creative strategies and 2) the activism legacy in terms of networks, conflicts, cooperation and collaboration among creative communities daily life and work. In 2014 Trias, mayor of Barcelona, took part in Davos World Economic Forum, speaking in a panel entitled: Re-imagining employment. Labour market, according to Trias, could attract both investments and talents through 'helping those sectors of the population who are worst affected by the crisis, such as young people and the long-term unemployed'. Barcelona aims 'to be recognised worldwide as a city of culture, knowledge, creativity, innovation and welfare, adding that new technologies could help to achieve this goal'. Barcelona, he explained, 'was a average-sized city with a diversified economy, with powerful sectors such as tourism, which was nevertheless launching new strategic sectors, particularly those linked to new mobile technologies and research.' This message answers to the requirements of the capitalistic global world attending the meeting in Davos but it contrasts with the first point of the European strategy about culture, the image of Barcelona as a model of social urbanism and, above all, the city claimed by its citizens during the indignados movement. Indeed in the Communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions (2012) - which outlines the strategies for the Horizon 2020 - it had been claimed that At the heart of our social fabric, culture shapes our identities, aspirations and relations to others and the world. It also shapes the places and landscapes where we live, the lifestyles we develop. Heritage, visual and performing arts, cinema, music, publishing, fashion or design manifest themselves strongly in daily life but the contribution that cultural and creative sectors can bring to social and economic development in the EU is still not fully recognised. In a recent past Barcelona had already attracted talents and it still appeals to creative workers looking for the opportunity to express themselves. People working in art, design and architecture contributed to change both the urban landscape and the significance of a city working for years precariously but inspired by the 'credo that individuals actually have some power over their economic destinies' (Ross 2009). Most of this people are still based in Barcelona and they compose part of 'the precarious generation' that after the global economic crises promoted the grassroots movement worldwide known as the indignados. Results of our observation and in depth interviews shows that the experience of participating in this movements shift a citizens perception of agents of change: they not perceive themselves as able to conflict individually but only supported by a community of peers or with a common goal. This need to participate in decision making and to collaborate or cooperate, instead of competing, is breaking out the cage of a 'smart and creative city' as a flagship model, wrapping a city-box that is empty in terms of meanings. Three experiences we focused on lean on this new sense of solidarity and a deep need of networking and sharing knowledge and skills: a collective of creatives living in the Poblenou, the Spanish union of architects and the group of Urban Beers. All these initiatives contribute to imagine and participate in the city discourse for the future differently but with some common traits. As Trias says in his speech in Davos this communities are effectively aimed 'to ensure welfare and quality of life of the people', and 'work to create opportunities for the future'.
Bazzarin, V. (2014). THE LEGACY OF GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS IN A CREATIVE AND SMART CITY. FROM INDIGNADOS TO THE COMMUNITIES OF CREATIVES AND INNOVATORS. Turchia : Dakam Publishing.
THE LEGACY OF GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS IN A CREATIVE AND SMART CITY. FROM INDIGNADOS TO THE COMMUNITIES OF CREATIVES AND INNOVATORS
BAZZARIN, VALENTINA
2014
Abstract
According to Sassen 'the significance of a city is a setting for engendering new types of citizen practices and new types of incompletely formalized subjects' (2006:315). In this paper we focus on the links between social movements (indignados) and creative communities to understand 1) how the latter has been influenced and help position themselves within an scenario of crisis, precariousness in a context of smart and creative strategies and 2) the activism legacy in terms of networks, conflicts, cooperation and collaboration among creative communities daily life and work. In 2014 Trias, mayor of Barcelona, took part in Davos World Economic Forum, speaking in a panel entitled: Re-imagining employment. Labour market, according to Trias, could attract both investments and talents through 'helping those sectors of the population who are worst affected by the crisis, such as young people and the long-term unemployed'. Barcelona aims 'to be recognised worldwide as a city of culture, knowledge, creativity, innovation and welfare, adding that new technologies could help to achieve this goal'. Barcelona, he explained, 'was a average-sized city with a diversified economy, with powerful sectors such as tourism, which was nevertheless launching new strategic sectors, particularly those linked to new mobile technologies and research.' This message answers to the requirements of the capitalistic global world attending the meeting in Davos but it contrasts with the first point of the European strategy about culture, the image of Barcelona as a model of social urbanism and, above all, the city claimed by its citizens during the indignados movement. Indeed in the Communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions (2012) - which outlines the strategies for the Horizon 2020 - it had been claimed that At the heart of our social fabric, culture shapes our identities, aspirations and relations to others and the world. It also shapes the places and landscapes where we live, the lifestyles we develop. Heritage, visual and performing arts, cinema, music, publishing, fashion or design manifest themselves strongly in daily life but the contribution that cultural and creative sectors can bring to social and economic development in the EU is still not fully recognised. In a recent past Barcelona had already attracted talents and it still appeals to creative workers looking for the opportunity to express themselves. People working in art, design and architecture contributed to change both the urban landscape and the significance of a city working for years precariously but inspired by the 'credo that individuals actually have some power over their economic destinies' (Ross 2009). Most of this people are still based in Barcelona and they compose part of 'the precarious generation' that after the global economic crises promoted the grassroots movement worldwide known as the indignados. Results of our observation and in depth interviews shows that the experience of participating in this movements shift a citizens perception of agents of change: they not perceive themselves as able to conflict individually but only supported by a community of peers or with a common goal. This need to participate in decision making and to collaborate or cooperate, instead of competing, is breaking out the cage of a 'smart and creative city' as a flagship model, wrapping a city-box that is empty in terms of meanings. Three experiences we focused on lean on this new sense of solidarity and a deep need of networking and sharing knowledge and skills: a collective of creatives living in the Poblenou, the Spanish union of architects and the group of Urban Beers. All these initiatives contribute to imagine and participate in the city discourse for the future differently but with some common traits. As Trias says in his speech in Davos this communities are effectively aimed 'to ensure welfare and quality of life of the people', and 'work to create opportunities for the future'.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
