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The Transformative Potential of Institutions: How Symbolic Markers Can Institute New Social Meaning in Changing Cities

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  • Sebastian Dembski
  • Willem Salet

Abstract

Planners use symbolic markers in order to frame processes of urban change and to mobilise actors. How can we explain the fact that in some cases the symbolisation of new urban spaces manages to enhance and enlarge the meaning of social change while in other cases the symbolic markers remain powerless and might even have a reverse effect? The authors doubt whether the sophistication of symbolic markers as such has much impact. The explanation for the success or failure of symbolic communication is sought within the framework of institutional embedding. This conceptual paper attempts to elaborate institutions' transformative potential through their use of symbols. To this end, it undertakes a reappraisal of institutional thought in order to conceptualise institutional transformation, the establishment of a conceptual linkage between the transformative potential of institutions and symbolic markers, and the design of an operational model of research for the institutional investigation of symbols in the planning of changing cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Dembski & Willem Salet, 2010. "The Transformative Potential of Institutions: How Symbolic Markers Can Institute New Social Meaning in Changing Cities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(3), pages 611-625, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:3:p:611-625
    DOI: 10.1068/a42184
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    1. Ellen M. Immergut, 1998. "The Theoretical Core of the New Institutionalism," Politics & Society, , vol. 26(1), pages 5-34, March.
    2. Riker, William H., 1980. "Implications from the Disequilibrium of Majority Rule for the Study of Institutions," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(2), pages 432-446, June.
    3. Hall, Peter A. & Taylor, Rosemary C. R., 1996. "Political science and the three new institutionalisms," MPIfG Discussion Paper 96/6, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
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    1. Pier Luigi Sacco & Guido Ferilli & Blessi Giorgio Tavano, 2012. "Sviluppo locale a base culturale: quando funziona e perch?? Alla ricerca di un framework di riferimento," PRISMA Economia - Societ? - Lavoro, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2012(1), pages 9-27.
    2. Graham Haughton & Philip Allmendinger, 2015. "Fluid Spatial Imaginaries: Evolving Estuarial City-regional Spaces," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(5), pages 857-873, September.
    3. Augusto Cusinato, 2015. "Il paesaggio, tessera mancante nella nozione di milieu," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(2), pages 5-32.
    4. Pier Luigi Sacco & Alessandro Crociata, 2013. "A Conceptual Regulatory Framework for the Design and Evaluation of Complex, Participative Cultural Planning Strategies," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 1688-1706, September.

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