The Game of Urban Regeneration

Who wins and who loses in urban regeneration? What are the mechanisms at play? Francesca Weber-Newth looks at two neighbourhoods that are adjacent to large-scale regeneration schemes: the 2012 Olympic park in London and the Mediaspree waterside development in Berlin. By analysing how urban regeneration is experienced on the ground, her study counters the notion that Olympic-led regeneration is any different from other forms of neoliberal urban development. Adopting Pierre Bourdieu's view of the social world as made up of competitive >games<, an="" analysis="" of="" the="" two="" neighbourhoods="" reveals="" how="" the="" concepts="" of="">culture< and="">community< are="" strategically="" employed="" in="" the="">game< of="" urban="" regeneration="" -="" to="" the="" benefit="" of="" some="" and="" the="" detriment="" of="">