Introduction: The Politics of Squatting, Time Frames and Socio-Spatial Contexts (original) (raw)

This volume sheds light on the development of squatting practices and movements in nine European cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Brighton) by examining the numbers, variations and significant contexts in their life course. It reveals how and why squatting practices have shifted and to what extent they engender urban movements. The book measures the volume and changes in squatting over various decades, mostly by focusing on Squatted Social Centres but also including squatted housing. In addition, it systematically compares the cycles, socio-spatial structures and the political implications of squatting in selected cities. This collection highlights how squatters’ movements have persisted over more than four decades through different trajectories and circumstances, especially in relation to broader protest cycles and reveals how political opportunities and constraints influence the conflicts around the legalisation of squats. Martínez provides a general introduction to the book by presenting the aims of the collective research which was undertaken by the contributors. This chapter constructs a theoretical framework with the main concepts that served as a guideline for the writing of individual chapters. In particular, Martínez focuses on the notions of ‘protest cycle’ and ‘socio-spatial structures’ and applies them to the study of squatters’ movements. The distinction between squatting practices and movements is also introduced. A final section notes the comparative approach based on specific databases for each city.