UnCapitalized Culture: The Struggles for Common Spaces

Abstract: On the basis of the on-going transformation of the city of Umeå that is not only happening in parallel with the Cultural Capital year, but is openly and explicitly presented and discussed in relationship with theories of culture-driven growth, this thesis investigates the complexities of these developments and their social, political and spatial impact on the life of Umeå’s inhabitants, as well the urban and architectural strategies involved in the production, staging and branding of ‘culture’. The thesis explores alternative ways of organizing cultures and communities in/of the city that cherishes the commons, collective work and everyone’s opportunities to express themselves creatively, and intervenes directly upon the making of culture in the city, establishing spaces and times to imagine together, and enabling cultural encounters and productions.