Culture, urban transformation and citizen empowerment against gentrification. Comparison between the case of Gethsemane (Cartagena de Indias) and Raval (Barcelona)

Culture has become an essential element in the processes of urban transformation, especially in the central districts of historical cities. This is explained by the crucial role that culture plays in promoting consumption and territorial marking in the context of globalization of economic and tourist flows. The role of culture in the revamping of urban space has been repeatedly criticized by several authors. However, it is also suggested that culture can contribute to revalue deprived districts by creating positive images and empower citizens against gentrification. Also, as it will be analyzed in the case of Getseman\&\#237; and Raval, the alliance of creative industries with traditional inhabitants allows generating discourses and plans alternative to expulsion and standardization of historically popular urban spaces, creating a shared neighborhood identity based on the existing intangible heritage.