First signs of gentrification? Urban regeneration in the transitional society: the case of Croatia

Čaldarović, Ognjen and Šarinić, Jana. (2008). First signs of gentrification? Urban regeneration in the transitional society: the case of Croatia. Sociologija i prostor, 46(3/4). pp. 369-381. ISSN 1846-5226

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Abstract

Urban regeneration is usually defined as a structural and functional change of a certain part of the city powered by individual (corporate) or state initiatives. Many times the question what to regenerate, where and how to regenerate, remains unanswered. We will address the problem of the “sudden appearance” of new actors in urban politics and their growing influence on urban rehabilitation. The role of these corporate actors is more and more prominent due to their financial power and their “connections” with the city and state decision-making administration at various levels. The recent beginning of rehabilitation of one downtown block in Zagreb will be the topic of our case-study analysis. The citizens have protested on several occasions against the planned project, yet the mayor and the city administration have decided to continue with the project that will end as a typical dual-city structure. The paper will connect the current situation with the social and political organization patterns of a transitional society. The major problem concerns the sudden and deep change – new urban actors have replaced formerly existing social and state ownership and their interests. It is clear that the overall social and political system is not yet prepared to cope with the new contradictions and that institutional changes are to be applied.

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