Architecture, banal nationalism and re-territorialization

Donald McNeill, Mark Tewdwr-Jones

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    59 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This article concerns the relationship between architecture, territory and identity within major city-regions, and attempts to unpick notions of cultural and aesthetic meanings stemming from particular mega-projects. Debates over the form and function of major new architectural projects reveal ongoing attempts by territorial elites to re-narrate nations within the context of the re-regulation of sovereignty within Europe. To understand what these processes may mean, we employ Billig's conception of 'banal nationalism', which notes the pervasiveness of nationalism as an ideology through everyday life. We explore the idea practically by considering one example of an urban development project: the (unbuilt) Welsh Opera House in Cardiff Bay and the machinations that occurred politically over the choice of a mega-project to represent the re-branding of both a city and a nation. We conclude the article by suggesting that it is important to identify forms of aesthetics, function and location within cities, since the architectural mega-project is increasingly becoming a key tool in the search for new national brands in Europe's free market of identities. Overall, although it may be worthwhile for culture to play a significant role within debates regarding nationalism and identity within globalization, cultural meanings generated from aesthetic forms may take different modes according to what territorial scale a mega-project is attempting to represent.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalInternational Journal of Urban and Regional Research
    Publication statusPublished - 2003

    Keywords

    • human territoriality
    • identity
    • nationalism
    • regionalism
    • xenophobia

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