Resurgent Cities: Local Strategies and Institutional Networks to Counteract Shrinkage in Avilés (Spain)

Abstract

Avilés is a medium-sized city in Asturias, the Spanish region hardest hit by industrial crisis since the 1970s. The crisis of the state-owned iron and steel works and subsequent restructuring caused significant job losses, demographic decline and social tension. Since the 1990s, the Spanish Government, with regional and local governments and other local stakeholders, has been involved in new forms of urban governance focused on finding alternatives to shrinkage and a new model of urban development. This model recognizes several strategic aims: to (i) restructure and privatize the state-owned iron and steel works and attract new multinationals, (ii) promote a new economy based on innovation and culture using flagship urban projects, and (iii) improve the urban environment with rehabilitation of the historic centre, environmental restoration of the estuary and recuperation of wasteland for a new business park. This paper focuses on the influence of local actors, resources and networks on impulse regeneration strategies, analysing statistical information and data obtained from interviews with agents involved in urban development, combined with a selection of the major initiatives implemented. In brief, it discusses the transition to the resurgence of Avilés, including some of the uncertainties and future challenges identified, which are highlighted in the conclusion.

Acknowledgements

This research was financed by National programme “Ramón y Cajal” of Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, in which Simón Sánchez-Moral takes part, and by R&D&I Plan CSO2012-36170. Authors are most grateful for the cooperation and contribution of local stakeholders, specially City Council of Aviles.

Notes

1. This includes OECD high-intensity technology industries, knowledge intensive business services, and other knowledge-based services like education and health and cultural industries.

2. These loans are based on attracting state funding from the public entity Centre for Industrial Technological Development to reinforce competitiveness through technological innovation tools.

3. The International Cultural Centre is a project designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer for the Government of the Principality of Asturias to acknowledge the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts in 1989.

4. In January 2010, the Island of Innovation Foundation held an international competition to draw up the Special New Aviles Centrality Plan, with 18 proposals presented. The selected plan comes from a partnership between three engineering and architecture firms, with teams including several Master Plan editors, and is backed by architect Norman Foster's studio. Since the operation's financial details have still not been finalized, the Island of Innovation project is not been included in Table 4.