Cultured Sites of Contestation: Choosing Between Resistance and Submission to Culture-led Regeneration of Former Military Barracks

Ivanc, T., & Petrovic, A. (2025). Cultured Sites of Contestation: Choosing Between Resistance and Submission to Culture-led Regeneration of Former Military Barracks. Urban Affairs Review, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10780874251393664

Cultural spaces originating from former military sites often face institutional uncertainty and policy-driven commodification. While local governments frequently support social actors involved in the cultural production and regeneration of brownfields, this support usually diminishes once these spaces become profitable, leading to pressure to recreate rather than sustain their original purpose. This shift raises concerns about the integrity of cultural spaces and their precarious nature in governance and policy. By examining Kasárna Karlín and Metelkova, we aim to understand how and to what extent shifting urban policy priorities, institutional frameworks, governance structures, and power dynamics either facilitate or hinder the actions of social actors and the functioning of cultural spaces. Using actor-centered institutionalism, the study reveals that autonomy and tactical engagement can offer greater cultural resilience than formalized partnerships. These findings challenge assumptions about participatory governance and contribute to ongoing debates about the role of culture in urban redevelopment.