The duality of creative hubs in non-Western contexts: the case of Bomontiada

This paper focuses on the transformation of the historic beer factory in the Bomonti neighbourhood of Istanbul into an entertainment and culture hub, Bomontiada. I critically analyse Bomontiada as an example of neoliberal urban transformation; in this case through the vehicle of the creative industries. I engage in a number of open-ended and semi-structured interviews conducted with both the creative actors as well as those who were involved in the formation of this hub. I show the crucial tension between ideas of inclusivity and creativity, and the reality of corporate profit margins, and exclusion. Bomontiada was conceptualized as an open space for the cultural and creative industries to flourish, but now has taken on aspects of gentrification and gated community. The story of the emergence of Bomontiada exemplifies the challenges inherent in the creation and the activities of capitalist creative hubs in a politically ambiguous environment like that of Turkey.