L’Ososphère : Popular Music, Temporary Uses and Planning in Strasbourg France

Abstract

This article focuses on the temporary activation via popular music of former industrial buildings awaiting redevelopment in Strasbourg, France. The renting out of lucrative areas for certain periods of time, either for continuous use or one-off events, to cultural entrepreneurs, artists, NGOs and small businesses is increasing. In relation to popular music, temporary uses work in relation to one-time live events and yearly festivals attracting crowds to former industrial areas, the creation of affordable rents for rehearsal spaces, studios and clubs, and other experimental uses. These processes increasingly develop durable effects in cities, both on the spatial and on the socio-cultural level. This article analyses in particular Les Nuits électroniques de l’Ososphère festival, which has taken place in Strasbourg France since 1997.