LX Factory and the models of creativity- led urban regeneration

Saturday, September 16th, 2017. 10am-5pm.

 

In the last decades, numerous urban schemes of rehabilitation, requalification and urban regeneration have followed a strategy focused on creativity and culture. The most emblematic cases of this kind of urban regeneration operations are based on large urban intervention projects, guided by neoliberal logics of promotion and internationalization of the city. Contrary to these projects, however, are interventions aimed at cultural development (neighbourhoods/ cultural blocks in the historic centre), social inclusion (redevelopment projects in shantytowns), or those seeking a difficult balance between competitiveness and social cohesion (Fab Lab, Co-working, …). Located in an old industrial area of the city of Lisbon, the LX Factory, gathers some essential elements of this new model of urban regeneration. Dubbed the 'creative island' of Lisbon, today it brings together activities and professionals in advertising, design, fashion and architecture. It also contributes to the cultural promotion of the city through events in fashion, advertising, communication, multimedia, art, architecture and music. To understand the role of LX Factory in the city's urban regeneration, it is necessary to add to this mix of activities the bohemian atmosphere provided by bars, pubs and restaurants, the flea market at the weekend, and the street art, permanently open to the public, on all the walls, bringing a touch of colour to the industrial nature of the neighbourhood. Here the promenade and the shopping become a culture.