Radical spatial practices and the production of values

The thesis focuses on the relationship between the production of real estate values and radical spatial practices. The core of this work is investigating how symbolic (non-monetary) values produced by radical spatial practices may be impressed on land and converted into economic values. The starting point of the research and case study are the abandoned Victorian neighborhoods in West London and their reuse through the London squatters’ campaign started in 1969. In particular the work is focused on how these de-valued places were the scene where punk counterculture born and thrived. Part of my work starts from the research on London property market and social changes. It intersects the socio-economic changes happening in London in the 70s with Dick Hebdige’s work on youth, subcultures and style. The discourse on subcultures and style assumes that subcultures produce symbolic value out of objects of everyday use and then the market and the dominant culture de-code and translate these objects into commodities ready for commercial exploitation. In the thesis this discourse is applied to space. The assumption is that subcultures produce symbolic values also in the space they seize. They create a specific ambiance (Debord) and lifestyles that can be intended as semi-objects (Böhme), which can be codified and translated into values to enhance property market.