This book examines the dynamics of neoliberal urban governance through a comparative analysis of Buenos Aires and Chicago, with a special focus on gentrification processes in both cities from 2011 to 2021. This work argues that neoliberal principles, rationales and institutions, along with the elaborate rhetoric that has contributed to their success, are forever present in the US and Latin American region, particularly in global cities like Buenos Aires and Chicago. The year of 2011 marks the (almost) simultaneous election of new executive authorities in each city, and finalizes in 2021―a sufficient time span to observe key patterns, narratives and developments of each neoliberal urban governance.
First, this book chronicles the evolving urban neoliberal policies implemented since 2011 in both cities, with special attention to the systematic reduction of affordable housing and privatization of public land that have paved the way for gentrification to advance at a fast pace. Second, it also exposes readers to the prominent rhetoric crafted by local boards, developers, architects, and real estate agents in both cities. Third, this study chronicles how these contemporary neoliberal urban governances currently operate, a critical aspect that remains vastly unexplored. Lastly, until now these governances have been scantly explored from a comparative perspective in Latin American and North American urban settings, and so this book offers a rich new approach.
Author(s): Carolina Sternberg
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 215
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Perspective and Definitions
Cultural Economy
Neoliberal Urban Governance
Gentrification-Led Redevelopment
Post-political Turn and Policy Mobility
Methods
Plan of the Book
References
2 Redevelopment Frontiers in Buenos Aires
Overview of the Neoliberal Governance of Buenos Aires
Neoliberal Urban Governance in the Macri and Rodriguez Larreta Administrations (2011 to the Present)
Revanchist Policies and Rhetorical Shift
Privatization and Commodification of Vacant Public Land
Neoliberal Governance’s Goals, Strategies, and Discursive Spaces
References
3 Becoming a “Socially Integrated City” Through “Creative Districts”
The Creative Districts Initiative
La Boca and San Telmo as One “Cultural, Touristic, and Versatile Artistic Pole”
Tension, Conflicts, and Contestation
Policy Overview
References
4 From Villa to Barrio
Brief Overview of Villa 31
Plans for the Urbanization and Social Integration of Villa 31
From Eradication to Urbanization
Favorable Conditions Leading to the Initial Physical Transformation of Villa 31
The Rhetoric of Transformation
Normalizing Villa 31 as “a Livable, Formalized, and Robust Space”
Sanitizing Identities in Villa 31
Barrio 31 Residents’ Concerns and the Project’s Flaws
Limited Input and Participation
Evictions
Housing Deficiencies
Housing Titles
References
5 Neoliberal Governance and Chicago’s Southwest Side
Overview of Chicago’s Ascendant Neoliberal Governance
Neoliberal Chicago Under Mayors Rahm and Lightfoot (2011 to the Present)
References
6 Chicago’s Southwest Redevelopment Frontier: Pilsen and Little Village
Pilsen, on the Lower West Side
Little Village-South Lawndale
Pushing Redevelopment Ahead on Chicago’s Southwest Side
The Paseo Trail
Physical and Socioeconomic Impacts in Pilsen and Little Village
References
7 An Inclusive and Equitable New Chicago?
References
8 Conclusion: Comparing the Urban Governances of Chicago and Buenos Aires
Public Policy Implications
References
Index
