European City Seminars 2010 – Postindustrial Urban Space

It has been argued that there is something distinctive about a European City when compared to, for instance, an American city. The ´European City´ as a sociological concept relies on the idea that cities in Europe have demonstrated their power and willingness to make interventions for the prevention of social conflict and the good of it inhabitants. Often, these interventions took place against the strict financial logic or current global trends. In the 19th century, sewage systems and street lighting were first installed into the poor neighbourhoods and local councils choose to house people who weren't able to afford buying or renting property. The rise of the national (welfare) state to its strongest position somewhat reduced the power of cities, as many of the social institutions were transferred to the state.

However, today, with pan-continental institutions and global economic forces coming to the fore, national governments have been weakened to a certain extent. The partial withdrawal of the welfare state again leaves local decision makers in an interesting position. What can and what will they do? How large is the space for independent policies? Are they forced to restructure the European City according to market principles, or will it become a corrective counter-force, which seeks to maintain social cohesion in places where the social fabric has been destroyed by economic changes?