ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the main features of city contexts in which the artification phenomenon takes place. This "cultural turn", which can be traced back to the last decades, occurs within the frame of urban regeneration policies implemented by institutional actors and is, in the scope of this chapter, analysed under the spectrum of gentrification. The chapter describes how, Rome has been affected by these trends. It also analyses the Testaccio neighbourhood, a Roman district in socio-economical transition. The de-industrialisation of a number of European contemporary societies has been accompanied by the growth of service sector, development of highly skilled economic activities and the emergence of a creative class and of artists contributing to gentrification phenomena in inner-cities. Through cultural policies, urban mobilisation and artistic practices, there has been a symbolic revaluation of certain areas or neighbourhoods. Formerly a working-class district, located on the outskirts of Rome, this old industrial area has become 'desirable' and has undergone a process of gentrification.
