Paper short abstract:

In our paper/presentation, we will explore who is allowed to create cultural utopias, and how these interact with the mainstream.

Paper long abstract:

Who are the cultural elite: The definition of "elite" reflects boundaries of power, influence and positioning - which then dictates the objectives and motives of any cultural projects. How do the ideas of transitional Afropolitan internationals and Diaspora citizens interact with the ideas (and lived realities) of cultural practitioners resident in the Continent?

How do the cultural elite see the city: If colonization was about repression, decolonization must be about building the self esteem and confidence of diverse subcultures, allowing them to express themselves autonomously in their space and time. Are cities designed for holistic cultural expression - or to even allow people to gather? What forms does "gathering" take - around an idea (for instance the Ankara Revolution in contemporary African fashion) or even digitally? What is the expression of authentic urbanness: the experience of a city's dynamism and aspiration outside geographic limits?

How does the city allow the cultural elite to map onto its multidimensional spaces: If, for instance, a city bans loud music and graffiti, does it create lines of class, privilege and acceptance around whose idea of cultural expression is acceptable within its boundaries? The city, aside from allowing people to access it as a transitional and aspirational space, is also a political and economic space in which the vagaries of power play out. However, as long as cultural influence is labeled "entertainment" to diminish and separate it from political and economic power, significant contributions will be hard to have on urban design, governance and policy.