Changing aesthetics and the affluent elite in urban tourism place making

Abstract

At the nexi between urban aesthetics, power of the affluent elite, property and tourism destinations are complex intersections. These are explored utilising a critical theory approach within the context of neoliberalism and the concept of ‘aesthetic common sense’ is introduced. New conceptualisations of the ways in which tourists and others are influenced, demonstrate how they, through the processes of commodification and mediatisation, adopt the preferred aesthetics of the affluent elite. Cityscape aesthetics, incorporating both structural, top-down aspects (placemaking) and human agency (place-making) as co-performers in place making, impact on and influence, tourism destinations. An outcome is styled-for-status built environments and streetscapes. This is illustrated through the lens of Malta and its capital city Valletta, which presents a contemporary and dynamic exemplar.

摘要

城市美学、富裕精英的权力、房地产和旅游目的地的关系是一个复杂的交叉领域。本文在新自由主义的背景下使用批判的方法对之进行了探讨论, 同时引入一个”审美常识”的概念。对游客和其他人受到审美常识影响的方式进行了新的概括, 展示出他们如何通过商品化和媒体化的过程, 接受了富裕精英们偏爱的美学观念。城市景观美学, 结合了体制性的、自上而下的方面(场所建设)和人类能动性(地方营造), 它们作为地方建设共同的执行者, 影响和塑造了旅游目的地。本文透过马耳他及其首都瓦莱塔解读了城市打造出符合富裕精英身份的建筑环境和街景, 该城市是当前地方营造的一个鲜活的范例。

Keywords:

• Aesthetics
• aesthetic common sense
• affluent elite
• neoliberalism
• cityscape
• place making
• destinations
• Valletta
• Malta

关键词：:

• 美学
• 美学常识
• 富裕的精英
• 新自由主义
• 城市景观
• 地方营造
• 目的地
• 瓦莱塔
• 马耳他

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janet Speake

Dr Janet Speake is Associate Professor in Geography and Associate Dean Postgraduate Research at Liverpool Hope University. Her research interests centre on the contemporary transformation of urban areas, spaces of affectivity and the impacts of satellite navigation technologies on spatial awareness. ([email protected])

Victoria Kennedy

Dr Victoria Kennedy is Lecturer in Tourism at Liverpool Hope University. Her research interests include stakeholder theory and engagement, tourism policy, power, destination management and seaside tourism. ([email protected])