El Raval and Mile End: A Comparative Study of Two Cultural Quarters between Urban Regeneration and Creative Clusters

Abstract

This research aims at clarifying the development of creative and cultural clusters embedded in two emerging artistic neighbourhoods in Barcelona and Montreal. This comparative study intends to consider these quarters as new cultural centralities located in ex-industrial areas and it demonstrates how the cultural regeneration as well as urban planning are two fundamental dimensions for re-structuring these post-modern cities. After the decline of the industrial sectors it will be necessary to regenerate and to reconvert these dismissed spaces and marginalized quarters in order to define a new urban identity which organizes the urban space in terms of systemic and inclusive approaches. We have studied these phenomena and we have tried to highlight how two similar cities are leading to establish a new functionality in terms of socio-economic, cultural and territorial development.