BAVO is an independent research office focused on the political dimension of art, architecture and planning. BAVO is a co-operation between Gideon Boie and Matthias Pauwels, both of whom studied architecture and philosophy. BAVO recently conducted research into creative city development and practices of embedded cultural activism. BAVO's explicit mission is to enhance public debate by means of publications, symposia and interventions. Recent publications include: Cultural Activism Today. The Art of Over-identification (Episode Publishers, 2007) and Urban Politics Now. Re-imagining Democracy in the Neoliberal City (NAi Publishers, 2007). Website: http://www.bavo.biz --------------------------------------- STATEMENT: Creative Urban Regeneration: Nothing More Than a Substitute for Urban Politics? BAVO Architects should take a more politically firm stance towards the creative regeneration schemes and pacts that are being launched today in the economically less successful parts ...

voorzitter SER

Olof van de Wal - director of KEI expert centre urban regeneration. KEI, Dutch Expert Centre for Urban Renewal (KEI = Knowledge, Expertise, Innovation), was founded in 2000 on initiative of a number of public and private parties. KEI aims at providing an impulse mainly to the physical component of urban renewal (regeneration) in the Netherlands by collecting, exchanging and availing expertise on the issue. KEI is also interested in international experiences and practices. KEI is an independent intermediary and broker of know-how. Website: http://www.kei-centrum.nl -------------------------------------------- SPEAKER'S STATEMENT: Urban regeneration is not about architecture and is certainly not about architects. If anything, it is geared towards creating vitality in urban neighbourhoods, creating the possibility of what has been called 'social ascent' for those living in these neighbourhoods. In this, the spatial context can provide the necessary means - and it often does. But economy ...