Cultural Policy and Urban Regeneration during Political Transition: the case of Cardiff (Wales) and Split (Croatia).

This research examines the links between cultural policy and urban regeneration in two cities undergoing their own distinct political transitions; as Cardiff moves to devolve greater political power from Westminster to their own Welsh Assembly Government, Split moves in the opposite direction as part of a wider Croatian effort towards EU membership and integration. The intersections between cultural policy, urban development and political change are a important feature of much policy decision making. Therefore, the project specifically analyses the development of large scale cultural projects and ‘media cities’, the regeneration of historic architecture and programmes of investment in physical infrastructure to understand the links made between these and the representation of cultural identity and aspirations. It examines how the intersection between these contributes to the quality of life of local communities and how they are commodified as part of a wider branding of the city and nation. As with all policies of this nature, there will be winners and losers, therefore this empirical research will seek to understand the power dynamic which plays out with these multi-partner initiatives and the discourses which legitimise and challenge their effectiveness.