Revolution and counterrevolution in the global city: the frustrated expectations of the globalization of our cities

Abstract

A pessimistic analysis, even catastrophic, prevails in studies of global urbanization. For example, the Reports of the UNDP-Habitat or the Worldwatch Institute, or the articles and presentations in intellectual fora. This does not mean that the transformative and integrative potential of cities is not recognized. The positive discourse about citizens' liberties that the urban revolution, currently in process, makes possible forms part of our culture. These are the two sides of this reality. Many cities, European and American, have promoted regeneration of their central areas that, in many cases, deal with almost an entire municipality, with a revaluing of the compact, heterogenous city characterized by the quality of public space. However the urban developments, the metropolitan regions, multiply inequalities over the landscape, generating spaces that are physically fragmented and socially segregated. The current urban revolution is frustrating. The political, urbanistic and cultural challenge today is to 'make the city' in all regions characterized by urbanization.

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