Constructing Neoliberal Urban Democracy in the American Inner-city

Abstract

The neoliberalization of urban governance has profoundly problematized issues of ‘local’ and ‘urban’ democracy on both sides of the Atlantic. This paper explores the changing modalities of urban democracy under neoliberalism through a case study of Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati. A historically maligned inner-city neighbourhood, Over-the-Rhine is the locus for a concerted neoliberalizing gentrification drive and site of a coordinated resistance to market-oriented redevelopment. Three key processes of neoliberal restructuring are analyzed to highlight the centrality of contestations over local democracy for local economic development. Governance restructuring and the implementation of key spatial imaginaries are argued to produce a neoliberal articulation of urban democracy that discursively legitimizes development from above via an understanding of the neighbourhood as a physical environment, usurping pre-existing grassroots organizations conceptualizing Over-the-Rhine as a social structure.

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Andrew Jones for his editorial assistance and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticism. I also wish to express my gratitude to the interviewees for giving up their time to participate in the study. The usual disclaimers apply.

Notes

¹ For an insightful review, see Purcell (2008, chapter 2), also Andrews & Turner (2006).

² See Hackworth (2007, chapter 1); Jessop (2002); and Purcell (2008, chapter 2) for astute discussions on the development of, and relationship between, liberalism and neoliberalism.

³ Coate (2005) and Harvey (2005) argue the global spread of formal liberal-democratic institutions and elections, such as those in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan are integral components of neoliberalization.

⁴ Keil (2009) has subsequently pointed to a third moment of ‘roll-with-it’ neoliberalization to capture the normalization of neoliberal governmentalities and social formations.

⁵ A controversial report released 22 June 2009 by neighborhoodscout.com (a website offering data to insurance companies, homebuyers and developers to evaluate neighbourhoods) ranked Liberty and Central Parkway in Over-the-Rhine as the United States’ ‘most dangerous neighbourhood’ based on 2005–2007 ‘predicted’ annual crime rates (WLWT News, 2009). Whilst the report conflicted with Cincinnati Police reports that marked a 36 per cent reduction in crime in Police District 1 during 2004–2007, it received national attention, perpetuating the image of Over-the-Rhine as a violent ghetto (Baker, 2009; Konkol, 2009).

⁶ For example, developing studio and gallery space; preserving cultural and architectural amenities (i.e. renovating Findlay Market); and promoting Over-the-Rhine's cultural facilities including Cincinnati Music Hall and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

⁷ ReSTOC and Over-the-Rhine Housing Network merged in April 2006 to form Over-the-Rhine Community Housing in an attempt to streamline operations, better serve their constituents, and reduce competition for scarce resources (Cramer & Zdenek, 2006).

⁸ A resident young professional claimed development in Over-the-Rhine ‘only serves the developers’ and was wary that the Chamber's constituency was ‘a lot of the people doing the developing, [those] with an economic stake in gentrification’ (interview, Brown, 2005). However, interviews with incoming/gentrifying residents revealed many actively support the Chamber's ideology and initiatives but also become involved with projects organized by the People's Movement. For example, two resident interviewees both volunteered at the Drop Inn Center and participated in Over-the-Rhine Foundation litter picks (interviews, Brown, 2005; Doe, 2005).

⁹ This has proved particularly important for low-income community advocates who claim agenda scheduling in Council meetings tends to marginalize both Over-the-Rhine and the People's Movement, pushing their concerns to the back of proceedings (interviews, Drop Inn Center representative, 2005; Over-the-Rhine Contact Center representative, 2005).

¹⁰ Since 2005, a $70 million investment in phases I and II of the “Gateway Quarter” development has realized 98 housing (86 for-sale, 12 rental) and 14 commercial units. Phase III, a $30 million project intended to develop over 100 for-sale housing units and 15,000+ sq/ft of commercial space along southern Vine, Main, and Republic Streets broke ground in February 2008 (3CDC, 2008).