Cultural Scene (Urban Scenes)

Cristina Mateos Mora, Pablo de Olavide University  

Definition

Talking about a cultural scene essentially involves addressing the symbolic dimension of a territory, understood as the set of cultural consumption opportunities that, when located together in the same place, endow that space with distinctive characteristics and atmospheres that make it recognisable.

This concept enables us to identify the tangible elements that shape the development of cultural practices in a given place. It is not simply about identifying the cultural activities that take place or the groups residing in an area but rather about understanding the lifestyles that can emerge based on the opportunities provided by that scene (Silver et al., 2010; Mateos et al., 2022). In this sense, the cultural scene, as a contextual element surrounding individuals—both those who reside in these spaces and those who may visit them- promotes a set of behaviours, cultural practices, and lifestyles.

Background information and contemporary debate

The concept of cultural scenes emerges in a context of profound socio-economic transformations in cities, marked by a shift from a production-based economy to one focused on consumption. This shift in urban development analysis has given cultural scenes particular relevance in less industrialised cities, where leisure, services, and cultural consumption become key factors for social cohesion and interaction between groups (Silver et al., 2010).

From this perspective, cultural consumption has become an integral part of urban studies, leading to research that examines the impact of cultural practices, the arts, and services on quality of life (Markusen & King, 2003; Clark, 2004; Glaeser, Kolko, & Saiz, 2001; Zukin, 1995). These studies have demonstrated how cultural development can contribute to the economic and social revitalisation of territories, generating new opportunities and reshaping the identity of urban spaces.

Far from focusing exclusively on a specific type of cultural consumption (such as music or art), the concept of cultural scenes has evolved into a broader understanding of territory in which multiple symbolic and social elements converge. In this regard, urban space is conceived as a meeting place for social actors, where the production and reproduction of cultural practices are encouraged, along with the creation of face-to-face interactions that give meaning and identity to the territory (Storper & Venables, 2004).

The cultural scenes approach enables the identification of different spatial configurations depending on the symbolic and contextual elements that define a place. Based on this perspective, various types of scenes have been identified—bohemian, community-oriented, or innovative—that influence both the identity of a territory and the way urban space is experienced (Silver et al., 2010; Mateos et al., 2022). This classification facilitates the understanding of territory in cultural terms and allows for analysis of how cultural scenes impact other key dimensions, such as economic growth, health, or individual behaviours and attitudes.

Multiple empirical studies have shown that cultural scenes can be structured along a continuum, ranging from the conventional—characterised by traditional, egalitarian values and a strong sense of authenticity and local rootedness—to the innovative, associated with more expressive, transgressive, and change-oriented cultural practices. These traits influence broader social dynamics, regardless of other contextual factors or residents’ individual characteristics.

For example, previous studies have shown that innovative scenes attract creative and artistic occupations, thereby fostering local economic development (Silver & Miller, 2013; Navarro et al., 2014). They have also been linked to the spread of new cultural and political trends: more innovative scenes promote more liberal political attitudes (Miller & Silver, 2015), support for emerging political parties (Mateos, 2018), and the expansion of emerging cultural practices (Navarro & Rodríguez, 2014). Additionally, research has identified a connection between specific cultural scenes and the adoption of healthier lifestyles (Zapata-Moya et al., 2020).

Cultural scenes not only shape the symbolic identity of territories but also influence economic and social dynamics. Understanding their role in contemporary cities allows us to explore how they contribute to social cohesion, innovation, and urban development.

References 

Clark, T. N. (Ed.). (2004). The city as an entertainment machine. In F. Gotham, K. (Ed.), Critical Perspectives on Urban Redevelopment (Research in Urban Sociology, Vol. 6) (pp. 357-37). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1047-0042(01)80014-3

Glaeser, E., Kolko, J., & Saiz, A. (2001). Consumer city. Journal of Economic Geography, 1, 27–50.

Markusen, A., & King, D. (2003). The artistic dividend: The arts’ hidden contributions to regional development. University of Minnesota’s Project on Regional and Industrial Economics, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

Mateos, C. (2018). The effect of cultural aspects on electoral behavior. XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology, Toronto, ON, 15–21 July.

Mateos, C., Navarro, C.J. & Rodríguez-García, M.J. (2022). A guide for the analysis of cultural scenes: A measurement proposal and its validation for the Spanish case. Cultural Tends, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2021.1978816

Miller, D., & Silver, D. (2015). Cultural scenes and contextual effects on political attitudes. European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology, 2(3–4), 241–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/23254823.2016.1144480

Navarro, C. J., Mateos, C., & Rodríguez-García, M. J. (2014). Cultural scenes, the creative class and development in Spanish municipalities. European Urban and Regional Studies, 21(3), 301–317. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776412448188

Navarro, C. J., & Rodríguez-García, M. J. (2014). The contextual effect of local scenes on cultural practices. In T. N. Clark (Ed.), Can Tocqueville Karaoke? (pp. 251–268). Bingley.

Silver, D., Clark, T. N., & Navarro, C. (2010). Scenes: Social context in an age of contingency. Social Forces, 88, 2293–2324.

Silver, D., & Miller, D. (2013). Contextualizing the artistic dividend. Journal of Urban Affairs, 35(5), 591–606. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9906.2012.00642.x

Storper, M., & Venables, A. J. (2004). Buzz: Face-to-face contact and the urban economy. Journal of Economic Geography, 4(4), 351–370. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnlecg/lbh027

Zapata-Moya, Á. R., Mateos-Mora, C., & Navarro-Yáñez, C. J. (2020). Urban scenes, cultural context exposure and contemporary health lifestyles: A multilevel analysis of Spanish sub-municipal areas. In M. Smagacz-Poziemska, M. Gómez, P. Pereira, L. Guarino, S. Kurtenbach, & J. Villalón (Eds.), Inequality and Uncertainty (pp. 273–296). Palgrave Macmillan.

Zukin, S. (1995). The Culture of Cities. Blackwell.