Regresar

Urban decay, strategies revitalization and actor networks: Weight local trajectories through case study Langreo and Avilés (Spain)

Abstract:

Local paths and existing substrates in each territory (networks, stakeholders, human and economic capital) have a major role in the revitalization strategies of shrinking cities. The way in which local stakeholders are related and the initiatives they take to try and revitalize declining cities determine not only the future decisions, but also the demographic, economic, environmental and social evolution of the city itself. This article analyzes, on the basis of these questions, two mid-size Spanish cities that are declining and are located in a former industrial region, Asturias. In these cities, the weight of local factors can largely explain their uneven evolutionary local paths after the crisis in their respective industries. To this end, and following a presentation of their respective boom and bust trajectories, the implemented revitalization strategies are analyzed and interpreted according to the local stakeholders role.