Questioning the vertical urbanization of post-industrial cities: The cases of Turin and Lyon

This paper investigates the recent vertical urbanization of European cities in relation to the industrial crisis, which started in the 1970s, and the cities consequent need to find a new identity in order to attract public and private investments. Through two case studies, this research analyses when this process of vertical urbanism started and how it developed, in order to reveal its main features. Further, the aim is to highlight differences and similarities between current vertical urbanism and that of the 1960s. Through the comparative analysis of the two case studies, the paper shows how current vertical urbanism is removed from localized urban planning and is instead associated with global urban images and architectural typologies, in order to make the city attractive for financial investors. The case studies also reveal different approaches to vertical urbanism depending on the key actors of local governance. This confirms the hypothesis put forward in this research that the absence of an urban planning model is often replaced by a tendency to cater for specific financial interests.