Abstract
The article explores grassroots artistic practices as stances of vital urbanism, intended as the urban dynamics activated from below and from outside established institutions that make a city lively thanks to the heterogenous, adaptive, and ultimately transformative initiatives of its citizens, especially when aggregated in the form of organised associations. Specifically, it focuses on how and why grassroots cultural organisation contribute to the vitality of their city. The research analyses the grassroots cultural milieux of two Italian cities, Bologna and Venice. Despite the local specificities, a thematic analysis has developed themes coherent across the two cases. They are: (1) political conflict; (2) imagining the alternative city; (3) making the alternative city; and finally (4) a discourse about the cultural economy. Ultimately, the findings illustrate how their visions and motivations shape a collective imagery of an alternative city and that their ideals and actions aim not just to keeping the city alive, but to let it evolve and develop.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104234 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Cities |
| Volume | 135 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors have shared this research with many colleagues from whom they have gained important insights. In particular, they are thankful to Erwin Dekker, Anna Mignosa, and Francesco Della Beffa. Moreover, they would like to acknowledge the crucial help received by the various interviewees in Bologna and Venice involved in the initial stages of this work.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
Research programs
- ESHCC A&CS