Community participation in the recycling of derelict land and buildings for social and cultural purposes
This article considers the relationship between the initiatives of local cultural groups — the ‘free’ cultural scene — and the formal cultural administration of local authorities. Three case studies of the social and political tensions involved in the development of new cultural uses for old industrial and urban facilities are presented. These are the use of old industrial facilities in Dortmund; the use of a former chocolate factory in Cologne; and the use of an old jute-spinning mill in Bonn. General conclusions arising from the case studies illustrate that urban redevelopment is characterized by a tension between the needs of local cultural groups and initiatives, and the thrust of urban economic development.