Alternative economic practices in the city of Seville

Abstract

The serious impacts caused by the systemic crisis and austerity policies have called into question the neoliberal economic model, which in turn fosters an interest in alternative economic practices based on citizen collaboration and solidarity. This article analyzes these practices in the city of Seville, paying special attention to their spatial dimension and the role they may play in the evolution of certain urban areas; in addition, their trajectories, typologies and actors are considered. The absence of official statistics has required fieldwork and interviews. In addition, it has been necessary to apply methods and techniques of social network analysis in order to study the relationships of collaboration inherent in these practices. The research shows that the territorial environment is key to understanding the reasons behind its proliferation and evolution in neighbourhoods that have urban, socio-economic, cultural and ideological similarities. Its outstanding presence in the northern part of the old city seems to be turning some of its neighbourhoods into dynamic, supportive and inclusive urban spaces that can bring a new or renewed character to the city.