The “Chinatown Madrid” project. Urban capitalization and touristic decentralization

Abstract

“Chinatown” is a polysemous word used globally in various historical, geographical and socio-spatial contexts and nowadays it generally defines a tourist space in several global cities. Through a socio-spatial analysis of a particular case study, the urban regeneration project promoted by the Madrid City Council called “Chinatown Madrid”, the aim is to understand the current meaning of the term “Chinatown” and its uses and implications in a specific socio-urban context of the Madrid district of Usera. This article carries out a critical analysis of this project which was finally approved in January 2024, and sets out to raise questions about the meaning assumed by public space in this controversial urbanistic operation. It attempts to understand what its consequences on the urban and social fabric might be, taking into account the perplexities aroused by neighbourhood associations with regard for its benefit for those who live in the district. This research aims to contribute to critical debate on some current European, national or local urban policies which, generally, seem to be oriented more towards economic and touristic growth and the needs of these people who pass through instead of well-being of those ones who live in the cities.