De la patrimonialisation d’un centre ancien de ville moyenne à sa marginalisation ?

A counterintuitive urban trend emerges from Albi’s patrimonialization efforts: despite the 2010 UNESCO World Heritage inscription of its Episcopal City, overinvestment in preservation can inadvertently marginalize the area. This study reveals how political focus on heritage conservation, while aiming to boost attractiveness, may paradoxically push out commercial activity and residents. Analyzing spatial and social dynamics through fieldwork, researchers show that geographic designation alone does not guarantee vibrant urban life, highlighting unintended consequences of heritage policies in mid-sized cities.

Martin, E. (2020). De la patrimonialisation d’un centre ancien de ville moyenne à sa marginalisation ? Revue de l’Institut de Sociologie, 90, 19–39. https://doi.org/10.4000/13idm