Constructing the creative neighborhood: Hopes and limitations of creative city policies in Berlin

Recent urban development policies have put much emphasis on the establishment of creative cities. The creative city promises to be a new city, a transformative shift from the existing and conventional ways of urbanization to one that includes creativity and livability for all. Yet, this goal is often not achieved nor is it even necessarily pursued. The dominant creative city policies are not different from the current system of urban entrepreneurialism and growth-driven urban development. The paper presents the development of Kolonie Wedding in Berlin as an example of the promise and limitations of creative city initiatives. Here, guided art walks were introduced to revitalize the local economy and property market and re-imagine the neighborhood as creative and lively. However, the initiative reinforces social and ethnical boundaries, enhances exclusion and advocates for gentrification instead of challenging these practices. The paper calls for an overhaul and revision of the creative city model in which equality, and not growth and centrality, stand at its center. Such an approach includes the enactment of creativity not as an urban development strategy but as a human right.

Research highlights► The creative city promises to be a new city with creative opportunities for all. ► This is often neither achieved nor pursued. ► Guided art walks are one example of this scheme. ► Kolonie Wedding highlights the promises and limitations of creative city planning. ► Creative city planning needs to focus on equal opportunities for creativity.