Neoliberal Urban Governance

This book examines the dynamics of neoliberal urban governance through a comparative analysis of Buenos Aires and Chicago, with a special focus on gentrification processes in both cities from 2011 to 2021. This work argues that neoliberal principles, rationales and institutions, along with the elaborate rhetoric that has contributed to their success, are forever present in the US and Latin American region, particularly in global cities like Buenos Aires and Chicago. The year of 2011 marks the (almost) simultaneous election of new executive authorities in each city, and finalizes in 2021a sufficient time span to observe key patterns, narratives and developments of each neoliberal urban governance.

First, this book chronicles the evolving urban neoliberal policies implemented since 2011 in both cities, with special attention to the systematic reduction of affordable housing and privatization of public land that have paved the way for gentrification to advance at a fast pace.Second, it also exposes readers to the prominent rhetoric crafted by local boards, developers, architects, and real estate agents in both cities. Third, this study chronicles how these contemporary neoliberal urban governances currently operate, a critical aspect that remains vastly unexplored. Lastly, until now these governances have been scantly explored from a comparative perspective in Latin American and North American urban settings, and so this book offers a rich new approach.

Chronicles the evolving neoliberal policies regarding real estate implemented since 2008 in Chicago and Bueno Aires Illustrate how contemporary neoliberal urban governances currently operate Examines issues around public housing, privatization of public land, the real estate industry, and gentrification

Auteur
Carolina Sternberg is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Latin American and Latino Studies and Affiliated Faculty in the Master's in Critical Ethnic Studies at DePaul University, USA.

Résumé

"The book provides rich empirical context and explores the intersection of race and ethnicity in neoliberal urban restructuring. These critiques open avenues for further research on the emotional experiences of displaced individuals within neoliberal urban governance, offering insights beyond traditional socioeconomic indicators." (Mirtha Lorena del Castillo Durand, The Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, October 4, 2024)

"Anyone wishing to learn more about the history of urban redevelopment's changing frontiers in these cities and within their most impoverished communities-including how residents have sought to resist gentrification-led redevelopment efforts-will find this book to be an important resource. The book is equally relevant for anyone interested in comparative urban geography, because it deciphers how comparative urban research can be conducted empirically and conceptually across two very different cities." (Tilman Schwarze, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, August 19, 2024)

"Neoliberal Urban Governance is an engaging and timely intervention that presents findings on ... neoliberal urbanism in and between two cities one in the Global North (Chicago) and one in the Global South (Buenos Aires). ... the book thinks from and across Global North and Global South contexts in an empirically grounded way and should be a key reference for anyone interested in comparative urbanism, neoliberal urban policies ... or doing research on either of the case study cities." (Maedhbh Nic Lochlainn, Urban Studies, Vol. 61 (1), 2024)

"Neoliberal Urban Governance: Spaces, Cultures and Discourses offers an engaging account of 'actually existing neoliberalism' and its transformations in a Global North and a Global South city. In it, Sternberg narrates how neoliberal urban governance is made possible through locally situated discourses, which render urban spaces and identities as sites for 'transformation' through commodification in raced, classed and unequal ways. ... should be a key reference for anyone interested in comparative urbanism, neoliberal urban policies and discourses ... ." (Maedhbh Nic Lochlainn, Urban Studies, August 14, 2023)

Contenu

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Redevelopment Frontiers in Buenos Aires.- Chapter 3. Becoming a Socially Integrated City through Creative Districts.- Chapter 4. From Villa to Barrio.- Chapter 5. Neoliberal Governance and Chicago's Southwest Side.- Chapter 6. Chicago's Southwest Redevelopment Frontier: Pilsen and Little Village.- Chapter 7. An Inclusive and Equitable New Chicago?.- Chapter 8. Conclusion: Comparing the Urban Governances of Chicago and Buenos Aires.