1 The Value of Autonomous

The Value of Autonomous The Value of Autonomous

Manchester, ; June 2021 3 The Value of Autonomous

About the project

The report is part of a project titled “Making and managing Ljubljana’s urban squats: inclusive and participatory practices”, which is funded by the BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants (SRG1819\1904000) and supported by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The project investigates the way the place’s status within the city and Ljubljana’s squatted areas are consider communicative attempts used and managed by both official between the institutional channels institutions and their communities and the squatters’ communities of users, aiming to understand the with respect to the place’s use and power dynamics that emerge in management. their everyday running and plans for their future. It does this through the conceptual lens of place making and place management, which, as emerging areas of academic interest, seek to bridge the gap between various and often opposing voices with respect to the use of place.

We examine how regulatory uncertainty can be replaced by inclusive and participatory forms of management that do not jeopardise the place’s autonomous characteristics. We wish to highlight 4 The Value of Autonomous

Short Bios

Jenny Nikos Aidan Kanellopoulou Ntounis Cerar is a Senior Lecturer in Law is Lecturer in Marketing at is project manager at IPoP – at Manchester Law School, Manchester Metropolitan Institute for Spatial Policies, Manchester Metropolitan University and Senior Research where he has mainly been University and a Fellow at the Associate at the Institute of involved in projects dealing Institute of Place Management Place Management (IPM). His with urban regeneration, civic (IPM). She is interested in the research focuses on advancing participation, and community development of new theoretical the theory and practice of involvement in planning, frameworks on the interplay place management, as well mobility, and placemaking. between law and place, the as examining alternative He is the author of several establishment of creative approaches of place branding, articles dealing with urban interdisciplinary synergies, as placemaking, governance and development and has been well as the research of cultural leadership within the urban involved in the design of policies from a competition environment, with a particular a communal placemaking perspective. emphasis on squatted areas mechanism called Zunaj. and pseudo-public spaces.

Supporting Institutions www.placemanagement.org www.ipop.si The Institute of Place IPoP – Institute for Spatial Management is the professional Policies is an advocacy, body for people involved consulting and research in making, maintaining and organisation in the field of marketing places. As part of sustainable spatial and urban Manchester Metropolitan development. Their mission University, IPM is dedicated to is to support communities supporting people who serve towards sustainable urban places, providing them with development. IPoP is registered unbiased research, continuing as an NGO acting in the professional development, public interest in the field of qualifications, conferences, environment as well as spatial events and networking planning. opportunities. 5 The Value of Autonomous

Table of Contents

Executive Factors affecting 06 Summary 40 the survival of Autonomous

Prologue The “Management” of 08 by Lev Kreft 44 Autonomous Rog

Introduction The revitalisation 12 48 of the city

Rog Factory and Further factors 16 Autonomous Rog 50 contributing to the collapse of Autonomous Rog

Ljubljana: The Future of Rog 23 a creative city 54 and lessons for other Autonomous urban centres The value of Bibliography 28 Autonomous Rog 60 6 The Value of Autonomous

Executive Summary

Often considered as an alternative to established norms within the urban context, autonomous places – and squats in particular - have long “Red Gun “ by Blu been hubs of opposition against Photo: Goran Jankovac the mainstream economic, political, 2021 cultural and social manifestations of urban life.

For almost fifteen years, Autonomous earlier in 2021 The aim of this report Rog was an important alternative is to illustrate that Autonomous Rog hub in the city of Ljubljana, an produced alternative types of value urban experiment with a wealth of within the context of the creative city grassroots activity ranging from narrative that: 1) were not on offer by activism to artistic expression, to either institutional or private actors; music and parties, as well as athletic 2) contributed to the recognition of events. Throughout its existence, the city of Ljubljana as an important debates regarding the value and creative and cultural hub; and 3) significance of Autonomous Rog benefited the citizens of Ljubljana and for the city of Ljubljana emerged, marginalised groups unable to find attracting widespread public and comparable activities elsewhere. media attention. However, such discussions mostly emphasise what The report focuses on research was wrong with Autonomous Rog, conducted between 2016 and 2021 or how defective and troublesome and documents the latest stages of its occupation of the former bicycle Rog’s occupation, the governance factory was. and management structures of Autonomous Rog, the internal/ Thus, the purpose of this report is external conflicts and the legal battle to present an objective evaluation of Rog users with the municipality and insight of the content, activities, of Ljubljana, and the development and the communities involved in the of social and spatial value from the occupation of Autonomous Rog from communities of Rog within the context its inception in 2006 until its demise of the creative and cultural boom 7 The Value of Autonomous

of Ljubljana. Through our analysis, monetary and intangible value we demonstrate that Autonomous produced in Autonomous Rog has Rog was one of the last providers of resulted in the current dismissal accessible space within the centre of the knowledge and social value that was both open and affordable, produced there by the City of and supported the cultural and Ljubljana. The report concludes with creative revitalisation of Ljubljana. suggestions for immediate actions We posit that Autonomous Rog regarding the future of Rog and for was a pioneer of social, cultural, the continuation of progressive and leisure, and creative activities that inclusive programmes with a bottom- did not fit into the entrepreneurial, up ethos, as well as systemic actions for-profit narrative that resulted for the preservation of remaining “Red Gun “ by Blu from the of the city. autonomous places in Ljubljana and Photo: Goran Jakovac 2021 The failure to recognise the non- elsewhere. 8 The Value of Autonomous

Prologue by Lev Kreft: From Kočevski Rog to self-management bicycle factory Rog, from self- management factory Rog to Autonomous Rog

Autonomous Rog was annihilated in Factory (Cukrarna) as the outburst of a public event, which media enjoyed creativity, a jewel of public-private presenting, some of them supporting partnership, and an attraction the Autonomous Rog to persist and for natives and tourists alike. This other, more numerous this time, to uneasiness reflected the problem show what kind of unacceptable of political liberality: one cannot get activities of uninvited members in support from radical and extreme right a central urban space were active without losing the support of socially there. The plot and message of conscious centre-left supporters as a representation oscillated between consequence, and one cannot destroy “another case of neoliberal violence” marginal activities in the city without and “another case of criminal activities sending negative signals to the whole under cultural and human rights cover community of youngsters, students and excuse”. The first image from the and precarious cultural workers at spot told the whole story: the police least. So, something should be added and demolition group were inside the to the successful occupation of Rog. Rog premises, and Autonomous Rog That was done with the help of an activists and their supporters were image showing a spacious room at on the street outside. The eviction Rog, where, in the middle of general and taking over by municipality of decay and waste, substantial number Ljubljana, (ab)using special state of of syringes (one cannot say used or exception for epidemic reasons, was unused) lay scattered on the ground. a success. But authorities felt that This image, many times repeated pure success was not enough to get whenever media touched the topic public support for their luxurious of eviction, was presented as a final project of a renovated riverbank, and undeniable argument against from Three Bridges to Centre Rog Autonomous Rog, as it touched the and from Centre Rog to the Sugar primary fear of city middle class/petit 9 The Value of Autonomous

bourgeoisie when confronted with are addicted, giving at their disposal social presence of drugs in their noble a place where they can meet each vicinity. other, get support with safer syringes, sanitary advice, and social support, This image and its context, however, which includes their empowerment tell something more general about the as a marginal group, and conscious misunderstanding between this urban deviation from patronizing, which autonomous zone with its alternative accepts to help only those who approach to social and cultural life accept patronising as a proper social in the city, when compared with the attitude. It is not an approach which increasingly gentrified surroundings. would be concentrated on getting Dealing with this image, namely, rid of addiction, but it is focused on one should put in common context supporting a marginalized social two strategies of social dealing with group. From an average middle class addiction. They both touch its social point of view, it may seem that these consequences, not personal, but aim two approaches are in opposition at different social goals. One, formally and exclude each other, while they most supported by authorities and both do not target the main moral institutions, is based on methadone goal of political campaign against use treatment. Its achievement is that of drugs to eradicate addiction with addiction becomes less unhealthy “zero tolerance” and “war on drugs”. for addicted persons, but they Zero tolerance is, of course, extreme remain addicted and institutionally intolerance, and war on drugs is not marginalized, while it reduces negative just a metaphor because its aim is to effects on “normal population”, which turn addiction into the highest crime expects from social intervention that and treat it with no mercy. Results of they do not see and do not have to such strategy are visible: complete deal with addicted persons and their failure, which, because of expressed intimidating, perhaps even criminal rigor and sharpness, cooperates behaviour. It keeps “these people” with other campaigns of similar kind away. They may, for instance, get to build a society of total institutional their treatment only by using special control but cannot get marginalized entrances into the health centre, and groups to cooperate. Faced with are discouraged to appear in a group such extreme right doctrine, social at places where they can irritate other movements and social profession people. Methadone treatment takes approach, as well as municipal and care of marginalization of addiction medicinal profession approach from the viewpoint of middle class, should be able to cooperate between which does not want to see “people themselves, consequently avoiding with deficiency” around, but needs the third doctrine, which wants to put to have a feeling that something an end to them both. proper and “good for them” has been done for them. On the other side is To go back to a more generalized issue the effort to make addiction a less on the other side of any metaphor, dangerous way of life for those who why didn’t it happen in the case of 10 The Value of Autonomous

Autonomous Rog and municipality’s their armed powers on the map of Centre Rog conflict? The report as regular army generals do. which is given to your attention and They were discussing what kind of examination, is thoroughly done, and state and what kind of society they in its final part enumerates reasons preferred to establish after war would for such extreme results together be over, and what kind of culture to with recommendations for behaviour develop instead of elite national art in possible future similar events. and bourgeois beauty. Rog itself, and However, everybody knows that the whole partisan movement, were Autonomous Rog narrative would also an experiment looking for future be different had it happened two or common cultural, social, economic, three kilometres away from the city and political values, for establishment centre where municipal and private of rebuilt and new institutions, and interest in thousands of available was inventing them during the fight square meters is much lower, if any. already. Rog bicycle factory was a To extend drug users comparison, in self-management factory, which such situation the whole Autonomous progressed well enough in private Rog was treated not with middle ownership, but lost its perspectives class conditional tolerance, based for absence of engineers, who could on invisibility. The attitude of develop new technologies and municipality was of the extreme right programs, and without necessary kind, with zero tolerance and war funds to support their effort. Workers on Autonomous Rog (and one must were fighting to keep their jobs and understand this literally after having their factory, but their times were seen police and security echelons gone, and private capital took over and violence used, and undisguised social ownership. As in many other hatred expressed during conflict). On cases, such transition meant that city the other side was not the Creative plot was worth more than a troubled Rog project, which would allow for a and insecure investment into bicycle kind of agreement and inclusion of production. Autonomous Rog, despite Autonomous Rog into perspective. all its weaknesses and failures, was It was capital, pure and simple, in an heir of the self-managed bicycle its horrific private-public image, factory and of the Kočevski Rog sweeping the streets and destroying partisan cultural experiment. It is a and destructing places of anything pity that it was evicted, and it is a pity common one after another. that Ljubljana municipality neither recognizes nor understands this kind Rog factory was given a name with of experiment in spite of its insistence a history. During the Second World that Ljubljana is a town – hero for its War, the leadership of Slovene anti- fight against occupation during the fascist liberation movement was in Second World War. An armed attack the primeval forest of Kočevski Rog, on the Autonomous Rog was not a using now well preserved but less heroic act. visited barracks. They were not just pushing representative symbols of 11 The Value of Autonomous

Demolition and protest Photo: Goran Jakovac 2021 12 The Value of Autonomous

Introduction

“Why on earth would one go and destroy the heart of urban solidarity? A space where solidarity is genuinely practiced by way of work, learning, creativity, cooking and caring for each other?” Nevenka Koprivšek, 30.01.20211

Autonomous Rog was an established Addressing the above, the present squat in the centre of Ljubljana, report stems out of research Slovenia demolished in January conducted between 2016 and 2021 2021. It occupied the vast, empty and builds upon relevant literature premises of the former Rog bicycle on urban squats in general and factory and provided individual Autonomous Rog in particular, press/ groups and communities with space media articles and online content, and opportunity to experiment and digital archives, and interviews with produce varied artistic, cultural, various actors including former users and social content. Throughout of Rog, experts, and representatives its fifteen years of existence it had of the City of Ljubljana. been the subject of conflict between its users and the city of Ljubljana, It aims to supply the general public attracting public and media attention. and the city administration of Ljubljana Even though the initial era of Rog’s with data on the use of space at occupation has been documented Autonomous Rog, with insight on the quite extensively (spanning from the content produced by individuals, initial occupation in 2006 until the first groups and communities of users, as eviction attempts in 2016), the latest well as with an evaluation of the values stages of its journey have not been as represented at Autonomous Rog for well-researched, not least due to the the ultimate benefit of the city and the unexpected eviction of January 2021, wider public. An additional aim of this the ongoing global pandemic, and the report is to provide current or future legal disputes between some users of squats with insight on what helped Rog and the City of Ljubljana that took Autonomous Rog succeed and survive place between 2016 and 2019. over fifteen years and to highlight risks associated with the management and organisation of autonomous places. 13 The Value of Autonomous

More broadly, the report mirrors this vein, the report discusses other the inclusive city narrative2,3, which creative and co-working projects recognises the multiple social, spatial, within the city, highlighting the gap and economic factors that form the between available and affordable web of the modern city landscape production space and the policies and set the conditions for a thriving and priorities advocated by the city and resilient urban environment. As administration. The aim is to illustrate these factors can either contribute that Autonomous Rog produced to the marginalisation of people value for the ultimate benefit of the and communities within a city or city of Ljubljana and the general alternatively, enable widened urban public, and that the types of value participation, we illustrate how squats produced at Rog were not on offer have the potential to act as a catalyst by other institutional or private for enhanced citizen representation actors. Building on that, the next and value production, building on part of the report is dedicated to the example of Autonomous Rog. In the examination of the factors that consequence, city administrations contributed to the survival or led to need not fear or ostracise such the ultimate collapse of Autonomous bottom-up, grassroots participation Rog. The report concludes by offering attempts, but find ways to recognise relevant recommendations for the and appreciate their value instead. preservation of autonomous culture within the urban landscape. The report starts with an overview of the history of Autonomous Rog from This report can act as a roadmap for the initial occupation of the factory dealing with urban squats in Slovenia premises until the events of January and beyond. We aim to demonstrate 2021. It then proceeds by examining how the value of squats and their the broader urban framework where contribution to the creative city fabric Autonomous Rog operated and asks is currently underestimated, hoping what the role of Autonomous Rog had that the lessons learnt from the history been in a city aiming to position itself of Autonomous Rog will assist city within the creative city4–9 narrative. In administrations now and in the future. 14 The Value of Autonomous 15 The Value of Autonomous

Main building rooftop Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 16 The Value of Autonomous

Rog Factory and Autonomous Rog Brief overview The first industrial building on the land where the Rog Factory stands was built in the second half of the 19th century. The factory was rebuilt and extended in the 20th century, initially focusing to the production of leather goods. Following the Second World War, the Rog Factory started producing bicycles that became famous across Slovenia and continued to do so until the beginning of the 1990s.

However, the building had fallen into the assistance of migrant workers and material decay by the time it was immigrants, following on the tradition bought by the City of Ljubljana in of the Italian Centro Sociale11. 2002. It was taken over by squatters in 200610. From that point, content at Rog developed gradually, as an ever- The first two groups of squatters increasing number of communities who occupied the premises shared started occupying the various parts similar principles and priorities and of the former factory. Supply of co-operated successfully. The first space at Rog was in abundance, group was a transnational collective as the premises expanded over six called TEMP, consisting mainly of thousand square meters of more or Architecture students. The second less decayed indoor space12. This was a group of activists promoting civil vast space attracted a variety of rights, whose aim was the constitution communities, individuals and activities of a “new common” place. To that dedicated to art, physical activity, end, they established a Social Centre communal life and civil advocacy. inside Rog’s premises, dedicated to 17 The Value of Autonomous

ROG graffiti Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 18 The Value of Autonomous

The Rog AssemblyI was established as identities, sets of values and attitudes the squat’s representative instrument, towards management issues, in terms operating on direct democratic of how the space was organised and principles. As former users of Rog used. The management of space at explained during our interviews, group/ community level as well as groups and content at Rog were never the overall management of such an static; over the years communities and impressively big squat (both in terms groups of users would alternate, move of number of users and in terms of elsewhere, dissolve or simply cease to available area) became a contentious exist, making it impossible to pin down issue. Hence, the Rog Assembly the exact number of users, groups never reached its full potential as and visitors at a single time. Moreover, a representative and executive participation at the Assembly was instrument, even though certain voluntary and some groups were more individual users and communities present than others, contributing continued to take part regularly to the uneven distribution of space throughout Rog’s history as an and power among the more and autonomous zone13. less active users of Rog. Finally, as each individual space at Rog could Throughout the history of Autonomous become completely independent or Rog some individual users and groups cut off from the whole, and change of were dedicated to a variety of pro occupiers was possible by a simple bono activities and charity work, transfer of keys between the former whilst others to the promotion of art user of a dedicated space and the and events, sports and recreation next, not even the most active users of or other social activity. Profits made Rog were ever able to ascertain which from events and clubs would get re- group, collective or individual was invested in the communal or group located where at all times. Arguably, activities and the maintenance of each all of the above factors contributed individual space, most of the time. to a fast-declining numbers of users After 2016, any profits and remaining present during the latest years of Rog funds were dedicated to the legal (post-2016), even though there had expenses of the individual Rog users, been attempts to revive the factory who were sued by the City of Ljubljana and experiment with new ideas and in the legal battle that followed the projects. unilateral demolition attempts (see below). At its peak, Autonomous Rog hosted a great number of diverse communities, representing heterogeneous

I The Rog 'skupščina' (assembly in Slovenian) archive from 2006-2009 is available at: https://tovarna.org/node/265. More information about the ROG assemblies can also be found at http://www.njetwork. org/, a website that ceased operations in 2013-2014. 19 The Value of Autonomous

Hop!Hop! street theatre festival Ana Xnica Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 20 The Value of Autonomous

Attempted eviction in 2016

The City of Ljubljana had been their support for Autonomous Rog on planning for the development of social media as well as in the streets. a new centre at the Rog Factory Arguably, this is a direct result of good premises ever since it became its public relations management and lawful owner in 2002. Nevertheless, at mass mobilisation from the part of the beginning of the squat’s history, the squatters14. Ultimately, the City of city authorities were more tolerant Ljubljana had to step back, although of the communities at Rog and did that would not last for long. not openly oppose them. As the From 2016 onwards, activity continued city’s plans for redevelopment were at Rog. Some groups prospered stalled by the global financial crisis, while others did not, not least due to the users of Rog bought more time the legal battle between the City of for themselves and their respective Ljubljana and certain individual users projects. In the meantime, the on that followed the demolition attempts. towards them started becoming Additionally, despite their apparent less friendly as a result of changes in victory against the city on the streets, plans and priorities from the part of morale among the users dropped the City of Ljubljana authorities. An as legal expenses grew (most of autonomous centre at Rog constituted the profits made from events and an obvious obstacle for the new activities would be used to cover legal institutional Centre Rog, which led costs), and the differences between the city to evict the users in June 2016 the groups’ values and priorities led to without prior warning or notification. (often violent) clashes between them.

The eviction process started in the Above all, the general feeling was early hours of the 6th of June 2016 that producers at Rog grew tired by a private security company, and and progressively burned out. The incidents of violence were reported fuel behind the original success by the media. This external common of Autonomous Rog had been the threat stimulated the communities and voluntary labour and personal users of Rog to get together in order to dedication from the part of individuals demonstrate and halt the demolition and communities that established, attempts. Barricades were formed, maintained, and managed the various people were mobilised, and the users spaces at Rog. This fuel was now of Rog managed to send a strong burning low. Thus, faced with an message of solidarity across Ljubljana uncertain future, internal conflicts, and Slovenia, calling for support and decreasing numbers, and poor assistance (the Defend Rog logo was conditions of production (as the visible across Ljubljana in graffiti form). buildings remained without running The public at large started to doubt water or electricity), the autonomous the city’s top-down construction/ project at Rog appeared to be renovation plans, by demonstrating standing on its last legs. 21 The Value of Autonomous

Pink Buldozer Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 22 The Value of Autonomous

Successful eviction in 2021

In the winter of 2021, the City of their belongings by way of informal Ljubljana decided to repeat the notice, before the demolition had even eviction and demolition attempts of begun. 2016, catching the users of Rog and This violent eviction was criticized the public at large completely off widely. Several faculties of the guard due to the global pandemic and expressed the ensuing restrictions in gatherings their concerns, including the Faculty and public life. In the early hours of of Architecture, the Academy of Fine the 19th of January 2021, a private Arts and Design, the Faculty of Arts security company later joined by inter alia, as did a number of cultural the police (including the riot police institutions including the Kino Šiška special forces), entered Rog and Centre for Urban Culture, the SCCA evicted those present at that time. Centre for Contemporary Arts - The entrance was closed immediately, Ljubljana, and the Poligon Creative and construction workers started Centre, among others. demolishing the buildings within hours. The city would later claim that It is important to note that all the the buildings were empty of people, institutions that expressed their according to a tip received from Rog’s concerns and opposed the violent immediate neighbours. treatment of Autonomous Rog’s users and the demolition of the The eviction quickly escalated to riots buildings, represent the immediate, and clashes between the users and official beneficiaries of the new Rog the police. The police made use of tear Centre, which is purported to boost gas to stop Rog users from entering the creative economy of Ljubljana. It the premises and were subsequently appears that as construction on the accused of using excessive violence. new Rog Centre begins, the creative Nevertheless, the entrance remained communities of Ljubljana and their blocked to all individual users and respective stakeholders remain communities, who were not allowed critical and sceptical of the city’s plans to retrieve their belongings. The users and actions. were later offered the opportunity to collect their possessions from different locations, however they claimed that some more valuable items either went missing or were destroyed during the demolition. Further, it was reported that some users had been given the opportunity to access their allocated space at Rog for a limited time in order to collect 23 The Value of Autonomous

Ljubljana: a creative city New Rog Centre At the creative crossroads of artists, creators, performers of community programmes and all individuals or groups interested in creative activity, the focus will be on community land use, new technologies and new forms of governance11.

The new Rog Centre is being The creative industries/creative cities promoted as the new creative centre debate has been widely discussed of Ljubljana10. The project, which is since Richard Florida’s6 and Charles estimated to cost about €27 million, Landry’s15 works on the creative class: will host a public library, visual arts, creativity in terms of industry, class architecture, design, and other or economy contributes to financial creative sectors in a multidisciplinary prosperity and delivers employment capacity, linking the culture of to post-industrial economies. In this creativity with industry, science and post-industrial environment, the education in 11.000 m2. Half of this creative industries tend to cluster in space (approximately 5.500 m2) will particular city districts, consequently be allocated to cultural, educational called creative milieux15. Such actions and research institutions, aiming are indicative of a standardized to foster innovative synergies vision of creativity, aiming to promote between various stakeholders market-oriented policies and from inception to production and interventions in the urban space that beyond10. As such, Rog Centre will fit the Creative City narrative4,16,17. act as a hub for creativity within the Indeed, the area surrounding Rog confines of the “creative industries/ bears the characteristics of a creative creative economy” narrative, as first milieu, leading the city of Ljubljana to encountered in the late 1990s, and as envision the development of a centre implemented by many post-industrial, dedicated to art, culture and creativity developed economies sinceII. on Rog’s premises, since 200718.

II See for instance Tony Blair’s Labour The European project Second Government’s, Creative Industries Mapping Chance19 (Central Europe, ERDF) Documents, April 9 2001, https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/creative-industries- enabled the city to ground the mapping-documents-2001 development on international practice 24 The Value of Autonomous

Inside main building Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 25 The Value of Autonomous

and to involve various stakeholders Kunzmann of the Bartlett School of and international experts in an initial Planning (UCL) argued that creative consultation. According to city centres cannot be developed in a representatives, the City of Ljubljana top-down manner20, whereas creative commissioned groups of almost consultant Lia Ghilardi21 suggested 300 stakeholders in the consulting downsizing the aspirations behind the process, which took place in 2012. new Rog Centre, allowing it to develop Since the design and content of in a more organic and bottom-up the new Rog Centre is to be based manner instead. At that time the new on scientific research and debate, Rog Centre was being planned as a it is important to highlight some of public-private partnership, including the concerns that were expressed a private investment of apartment about its operation: Professor Klaus buildings and a hotel.

The Creative economy in Ljubljana

According to research published in an opportunity to rent affordable 2010, Ljubljana is the most creative space at the Tobacco Factory and city in Slovenia22, despite the lack of established a supportive place “from relevant infrastructure. Two initiatives creatives for creatives”23. The City emerged: of Ljubljana provided minimal, and mainly indirect, support for the Poligon  Slovenia Coworking days project, failing to officially recognise were organised in Kino Šiška, a cultural its value. At its peak, Poligon was the venue owned by the City of Ljubljana. largest creative centre in Slovenia, At the same time another creative hub internationally acknowledged as called “Kreativna cona Šiška” (Creative one of the best coworking places in zone Šiška) was established. This Europe24. It was forced to shut down bottom-up initiative was mainly used at the end of 2019, when the former as a production space by younger Tobacco Factory was bought by a new designers. developer who immediately increased rent prices, making the space  Poligon, unaffordable for its usersIII. Poligon, another bottom-up initiative, operated alongside a great number of other out of the former Tobacco Factory coworking places, artists’ studios, and (Tobačna), west of Ljubljana’s town cultural production spaces within the centre. The initial plan for Tobačna Tobacco Factory, were either forced was the redevelopment of “a city to shut down or seek alternative within a city”, comprising luxury accommodation. housing units, venues, public services, retail, and office space. The plan came

to standstill when the prospective III There was some support for developer declared bankruptcy, Poligon from the institutions established or owned by the City of Ljubljana, but were following the global financial crisis. minimal when compared to all means Younger, creative communities saw invested in Poligon. 26 The Value of Autonomous

From Rog Centre to Poligon: a policy paradox

The theoretical framework appreciate that cultural, social and underpinning the decisions made spatial value was being produced at about the new Rog Centre is derived Autonomous Rog at the same time. from research conducted before the success of the Poligon; research The present report documents some that reiterated the importance of of the value produced at Autonomous bottom-up approaches behind any Rog, aiming to demonstrate another prospective creative centre. Such lost opportunity for the city and to approaches allow the needs of the raise awareness about creative efforts creative industries to be voiced and that might remain underestimated as met without intermediaries. At a time they cannot be directly monetised when the City of Ljubljana was openly or generate profit in a market advocating the desire to establish a economy It is, however, this type of new centre for the promotion of the value that promotes participation creative economy, concerns about and experimentation in an urban the creative producers’ needs and setting, adds to the social fabric of the dangers faced by the increased the city, and eventually leads to the rents at Poligon fell on deaf ears. establishment of the next successful Instead, the city was ready to engage creative idea. in open battle against Autonomous Indeed, Autonomous Rog was full Rog and push through with the plans of such examples. To produce the for the new Rog Centre, which will be comprehensive report of activities and developed and managed top-down, groups at Rog a wealth of material has contrary to the expressed opinions been consulted including document solicited in 2012. analysis and doctrinal research, It seems unfortunate that the ethnographic and autoethnographic opportunity to support and invest in observation up to November 2019, as the creative industries at Poligon was well as in-depth interviews with former lost, considering that the development users and city representatives that of the creative economy constitutes a took place in 2016 and 2019. priority for the City of Ljubljana.

Not only did the City of Ljubljana miss out on getting behind the Poligon project resulting in loss of creative output, it also missed out on the opportunity to acknowledge and 27 The Value of Autonomous

Signs Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 28 The Value of Autonomous

The value of Autonomous Rog

“When reading the latest brochure on the vision of the Rog Center, well, there may be nothing wrong with it, but I do find it hard to get excited about it. Centres of this kind are in large supply all over Europe. Rog, however, was really special and had a vast and much more interesting, possibly, incredible potential – as a lab, as a testing ground of some kind of cultural and existential universal basic income”. Nevenka Koprivšek, 30.01.20211

Autonomous Rog represented Apart from the main known spaces multiplicity and diversity in activity and listed below, Rog had also been content production. Thanks to its size, used as a live-in squat by refugees the former factory area was able to and the most deprived members accommodate more than one type of of society and as an experimental , unlike what is traditionally housing strategy (as some of the seen in other European cities. Urban interviewees explained with respect squatting in Europe can fall under such to certain sealed-off areas in the main broad categories as being ‘deprivation building). Nevertheless, the main based’, as an alternative housing aims represented at Rog were those strategy, and as entrepreneurial, of political activism, civil and cultural conservational or political25. Many of experimentation as well as the aim these squatting classifications are of preserving and filling a derelict evident at Rog throughout its history - building with life per se. often, at the same time. 29 The Value of Autonomous

Skatepark Photo: Jenny Kanellopoulou 2019 30 The Value of Autonomous

The main known spaces

Autonomous Rog was occupied by Political, Social and Civil Life: various groups who were not always Ambasada Rog (refugee aid, advocacy related to each other, representing and meeting place), Social Center a vast and ever-changing number (centre for human rights and political of individuals. The spaces below organisation and discussion), Modri represent some, but not all of the Kot (cultural and political centre with activity that took place at Rog and space for entertainment), Second demonstrate diversity and variety in home (centre for humanitarian aid ideas. The spaces fall broadly under and migrant issues), Živko Skvotec three categories: (political theorising and discussion space), Kooperativa Rog, Afkors  Art and Culture, (feminist collective), Društvo AREAL  Political, Social and Civil Life, (supervised injection and syringe  Physical Activity and Well-being. exchange space), Bicycle repair shop.

These categories correspond to Physical Activity and Well-being: the values produced at Rog by the Skatepark (the largest DIY indoors respective users and collectives: skatepark in Europe, an elaborate woodwork construction, frequented Art and Culture: by people of all ages from across Atelje X (international artists’ atelier), Slovenia), GOR Breakdance, RGB Embassy, 1107 Graffiti, Sista’z Plac Breakdance collective,

Pri Anđi (cabaret and drag show), Cirkusarna (aerial and circus skills Delavnica Ghetto Life (atelier, training and performances), Holistic exhibition, workshop art), Zelenica Yoga and Massage, Telovadnica (gallery), Cirkulacija (contemporary art (boxing and physical activity), Indoors space), Boris Plac (art exhibition place Football, Zen garden. and bar), Gallerija Kljub Vsemu, various other independent ateliers, Concert Hall. 31 The Value of Autonomous

Communities at Rog

Internal Communities As a grassroots initiative, Autonomous Rog was never organised in terms of community representation or general activity oversight in terms of allocation of space or hierarchy. No one was ultimately in charge or responsible for life at Rog. The various groups of users would often even find themselves at odds with each other or would choose to abstain from general meetings and other initiatives.

This does not mean however that Rog the vast empty space of the factory as an autonomous, heterogeneous to be particularly welcoming. Such place, had always lacked vision groups included immigrants, asylum and purpose. The first groups and seekers, the ErasedIV, and other ethnic collectives involved in the initial or gender minorities. As stated above, occupation and success of the these people would either set up their place consisted mainly of artists, own initiatives or join in one or more of activists, students and academics, the already established groups. as stated above. The initial users wished to experiment with new ideas for urban life and self-expression and implement a new type of social IV The ‘erased’ are former citizens of the Socialist Federal Republic of programme different to the one who are removed from the Slovenian registry offered by the institutions of Slovenia of permanent residents in 1992 after the Slovenian Independence. Their erasure and Ljubljana and different to the one meant that they became de facto foreigners taking place at . or stateless persons illegally residing in Slovenia, with lack of access to full reparation The success of Autonomous Rog for the violation of their human rights to which the “erasure” led (from Amnesty. attracted the interest of marginalised org https://www.amnesty.org/download/ groups and communities who found Documents/84000/eur680022005en.pdf). 32 The Value of Autonomous

The first years of Rog (2006-2007) culture and sport began focusing demonstrated a particular vision for on their own specific activities and what the place would be and how it becoming dissociated with communal would operate, with regular weekly life and collective decision-making, assemblies, common approaches, conflicts between the more active regular engagement with the city political and social groups came to and negotiations. For instance, the the forefront. Moreover, the older and initial groups at Rog petitioned the more successful groups of artists had city for the supply of water and already migrated from Rog and into electricity, seeking to establish a the mainstream Slovenian cultural life. workable arrangement with the local government. Many proposals were As the more active collectives started raised concerning the daily running monopolising communal practices and the maintenance of the place, (such as weekly assemblies, events, the allocation and use of spaces, the funds), the organisational climate at relationship with the neighbours and Rog started to become more unstable. the broader public. The peak of the conflict coincided with the decision of the city to Progressively after 2008, the regular bulldoze the premises in the summer weekly assemblies became less of 2016, resulting in a series of lawsuits frequent. A more anarchic type of self- against individual users. These events management emerged, with meetings took a toll to many users, who felt taking place in order to address discouraged to continue in a conflict- pressing or exceptional matters. ridden environment. This era of Autonomous Rog mirrors the amalgamation and temporality of the ongoing activity as well as the constant change in the number of users, not all of whom shared the same ideals and priorities.

Communication between groups of users would take place rather haphazardly: through a dedicated mailing list accounting for some, but not all of the active users, through websites (e.g. https://tovarna.org/ & https://atrog.org), social media, and predominantly through word of mouth and personal phones.

Throughout the existence of Rog, various conflicts endured due to the lack of collective agreement regarding present and future activities. As groups and users dedicated to arts, 33 The Value of Autonomous

Main building rooftop Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 34 The Value of Autonomous

A clear schism ensued among the number of remaining users - and a active users of Rog, bringing groups climate of uncertainty with regard against each other, ultimately driving to the city’s plans for demolition some of the remaining older users and renovation. It would appear away. The rapid reaction to the that both the users and the general demolition attempts brought forth two public had forgotten the amount different strands of political and social of value produced at Rog through thinking in terms of communicating the years; Rog had become dark, with the city and designing a path for unknown, and distant, as several Autonomous Rog: an anarchic way of former Rog users and citizens of organising that seeks to directly of Ljubljana acknowledged during clash with the city on the one hand, our interviews. Nevertheless, the and on the other, a more moderate Skatepark, Ambasada Rog, Social and inclusive approach to conflict that Centre, Cirkusarna and several seeks to negotiate. other smaller places still remained active hosting activities, assisting The last years of Rog were marked and accommodating refugees and by a clear attempt to restructure and welcoming the citizens of Ljubljana. reconvene - despite the declining

External Communities: For whom did Rog produce value and how was this value acknowledged?

Autonomous Rog produced value value for marginalised groups (e.g. the for the citizens of Ljubljana, for Erased, refugees and asylum seekers) Slovenia and for the public at who would be otherwise unable to large. For example, art, culture and find accommodation and shelter, seek entertainment produced and offered benefits and other state support, as at Rog competed with similar offerings well as for the civil society at large, from institutional and private galleries hosting discussions and debates in its and venues. In that sense, Rog was various dedicated spaces and offering visited by the citizens of Ljubljana people the opportunity to become who wanted to see art exhibitions, part of groups and collectives, listen to live music, see dance and exchange ideas and take part in other artistic performances or attend social life. parties on a Friday night. Additionally, with a plethora of recreational and leisure activities, Rog was a famous spot for citizens of Ljubljana who wished to skate, take part in group exercise and dance or learn new skills. Moreover, Autonomous Rog produced 35 The Value of Autonomous

Sign Photo: Jenny Kanellopoulou 2016 36 The Value of Autonomous

Overall, Autonomous Rog assisted in To illustrate, it is worth mentioning the the dissemination of radical ideas, in extended spatial value associated the advocacy of human rights and the with the use of the empty Rog representation of gender minorities. It Factory premises. Before the first offered the opportunity for academics communities occupied Rog, the and intellectuals to engage in research factory had stood empty for almost projects, experiment and discuss a decade, slowly falling into decay. theories and methods and hold open The groups and users of Autonomous dialogues with the broader public. Rog took advantage of the abundant On a physical level, Autonomous urban surplus, producing content Rog produced material/production and especially artistic content, values adding to the existing factory’s when no other venue in Ljubljana space, through artistic interventions was able to accommodate these (e.g. graffiti, permanent sculptures) or artists and creative individuals, who constructions such as the elaborate had to compete for the meagre DIY skatepark. It can be argued that amount of creative space available. Autonomous Rog added to the City In consequence, Autonomous Rog of Ljubljana’s institutional cultural and enabled the production of content, the touristic offering. Even though not value of which would have otherwise officially accepted it still featured on been lost. official websites as a place of interest e.g. on culture.si. Ultimately, the above types of value arise from Rog’s autonomous The above point to enhance the social character that facilitated broad value affiliated with Autonomous Rog, engagement and experimentation especially in terms of the diversity without strict forms of governance demonstrated in both content and or bureaucracy. Such autonomous users/ participants. Autonomous initiatives are often associated with Rog was diverse (as diverse as temporary or interim uses of urban the city outside, according to the space as young artists and activists Slovenian Supreme Court see below), seek the transformation of abandoned representing an ever-changing or disused urban sites, offering the number of people and subsequently opportunity for varied expression and content, ultimately embellishing experimentation. Research conducted Slovenian social life. Such increased in Berlin9 suggests that such use diversity is a staple characteristic of of space contributes rather than the creative city7,26,27 showcasing that prohibits the characterisation of a city Ljubljana did not need to get rid of as “creative”. Such urban places have Autonomous Rog in order to fit into the value in being autonomous per se, “creative city” mould, rather it needed something that can be elusive for to acknowledge its past and present the greater public and impossible value and contributions. to monetise. In the case of visual arts production in Rog, Tomsich28 highlights the difficulty to frame and contextualise the surplus value from 37 The Value of Autonomous

such activities in a squat, partly from the ephemerality and temporality of art projects, and partly from the artists’ own reluctance to engage in further political commitment, and therefore a more open approach.

Thus, in a post-socialist country that has only recently been introduced to wider circuits of capital, and continuously operating under the mantra of “urban regeneration” and “revitalisation” under neoliberalism, the production of any value that is deemed abstract, unjustified, and unrealised is a hard concept to grasp29. This appeared to be a contributing factor to the reluctance of the public to accept Rog as an area where alternative culture thrived, and important social and political work was undertaken. 38 The Value of Autonomous 39 The Value of Autonomous

Miniramp Photo: Jenny Kanellopoulou 2016 40 The Value of Autonomous

Factors affecting the survival of Autonomous Rog The legal Status of Autonomous Rog In 2006 the city of Ljubljana supported the initial occupation of Rog entering into a type of informal sublease agreement of temporary use with the first users.

This type of agreement, however, people and belongings. The case does not constitute a contract in against one of these individual users Slovenian Law, as a contract cannot reached the Slovenian Supreme have unspecified parties, and the Court. The judgment was delivered on users of Rog have been numerous the 19th of September 2019V, ordering and diverse through the years. The the one individual defendant to stop Court of First Instance has described using the premises of Rog but also the relationship between the city of acknowledging that a mass eviction Ljubljana and the users of Rog as a of all Rog users at once would be precarious one. In practice, this means impossible and outside the Courts’ that use of the premises is permitted jurisdiction. The City of Ljubljana could until explicitly revoked. However, this claim against every single user of Rog was harder to prove and establish in separately - and succeed - but not court. against all the users at once.

In the summer of 2016, as the City of The city could not rely on any type of Ljubljana attempted the demolition of prior agreement between the city and part of the factory’s surrounding wall, the “Community of Rog users”, as the it was faced with proceedings initiated latter is not an entity recognised by by a few independent users of Rog law, but an informal and temporary claiming disturbance of possession. formation that cannot sue or be sued The city counterclaimed as the lawful as such. owner of the property, demanding that the individual users empty and deliver Rog’s premises free from all V VSRS Sodba II Ips 219/2018 41 The Value of Autonomous

The legal system is simply not In summary the points made were able to recognise this type of legal the following: relationship between a public  The Supreme Court described body and the public itself. Aslong Autonomous Rog as a “quasi-public” as the law is concerned there is no and autonomous zone dedicated to evident distinction between the two public life. concepts in the context of property. Furthermore, the status of Rog as an  The “quasi-public” nature of Rog “illegal squat” was not examined by derived from the fact that it is owned the Slovenian justice system as such. by a public entity (the City of Ljubljana) The Courts abstained from examining and that it is frequented and used by the relationship between the City of anonymous members of the public. Ljubljana and Rog’s users further, as Anyone could be a user of Rog and this matter was not part of the legal the place was as diverse as the actions initiated in 2016.Nevertheless, surrounding city. the Supreme Court commented on  The City of Ljubljana could not the nature and the characteristics of petition the enforcement of private autonomous zone in urban centres property rights as the Slovenian and made certain interesting remarks Constitution does not distinguish regarding their value and legal status. between private and public property; The Slovenian Supreme Court rather rights are subjected to their indirectly acknowledged the value of respective functions. Property owned autonomous squats in urban centres by a public body cannot enjoy the by recognising their particular traits same level of protection as property and their relationship with their owned by a private individual. surrounding cities. The court referred  The Supreme Court went on to such autonomous zones as places to describe the users of Rog as where the public can socialise, create “an amorphous, anonymous and and have fun. Such places more often constantly changing social formation” than not belong to public bodies (e.g. who might have some common values the city) and are therefore public by and principles but are not otherwise nature, if not by law. related. They represent the totality of the citizens of Ljubljana.

 The Supreme Court of Slovenia in essence recognised that Rog bore the characteristics of a de facto rather than de jure “public good” (Article 19 of the SPZ).

Ultimately, for the Supreme Court what the City of Ljubljana decided to do with the Rog premises was a matter of democracy and public policy rather than a matter of law on that occasion. 42 The Value of Autonomous

“If you like the squatters take them home”

According to the Slovenian legal system, the users of Rog collectively were acting as members of the public, engaging in social activity and taking part in civil life in an open, semi-public place located in the heart of the city. It could be argued that in a way, they were indeed at home, contrary to what opposing voices had expressed on social media.

Post-scriptum: a new series of legal injunction to the users’ communities disputes has ensued following the to stop the eviction and dismissed the most recent eviction of 2021, as the users’ arguments for violation of their users’ communities claimed use of rights as proprietary possessors, full excessive force by the police during trial pending. the eviction proceedings, resulting in human rights hearings in front the Parliament. In March 2021, the County Court refused to grant an interim 43 The Value of Autonomous

Pink buldozer returning Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 44 The Value of Autonomous

The “Management” of Autonomous Rog

Whereas the word “management” may impose negative connotations in the context of Rog, it is important to introduce here the concept of “place management” in order to describe the different organisational and operational approaches that were evident in the 15 years of the occupation.

In layman terms, place management The first era of Rog’s occupation can be understood as the process of is characterised by modes of making places better30 by harnessing “management by experimentation” skills and competencies of the array of that aimed to tackle the increased people involved in a particular place. privatisation of public space in Place management in the case of Rog Ljubljana and to offer an alternative can be understood as direct, inclusive space for the production of art, and bottom-up, focusing on practices culture, political debate and of prefiguration, autonomy, do-it- social interaction32. When put in yourself (DIY), direct action, and mutual these terms, the initial occupation aid31. Such an approach to managing a of Rog can be understood as a space like Rog challenged established temporary experiment with the structures of municipal management purpose to critique mainstream and governance by introducing ideas of managing the city as an anarchic way of developing a corporation (with focus on content and value via self-governing privatisation and efficiency). This activities and practices, based on planned experimentation was also the Rog users’ daily doings. In this properly organised, as shown by the section, we outline the evolution of documentation of weekly assemblies managing and maintaining practices and collective decision-making in Rog throughout its occupation in processes that constituted Rog as chronological order. a space where hope and possibility of an alternative social, cultural 45 The Value of Autonomous

and political public sphere can be space, Rog users mobilised against imagined. In essence, and by stressing this decision and re-established their the fact that the occupation was dormant decision-making platforms temporary, management practices in with the aim to resist the municipality’s Rog presented a shared vision that plans. The Mayor of Ljubljana had was constantly negotiated between expressed in the past a sympathetic the users and was directly opposed stance for Metelkova as a place for to the vision of City of Ljubljana. The critical reflection, civic engagement, abrupt ending of negotiations during and as an area where ideas of all the change in administration at that generations can freely flow33, and time highlighted mainly a rejection of thus negotiations and resolution the self-management ethos and the meetings were held in order to reach everyday activities that exemplified to an agreeable consensus that could the need to liberate public space benefit both parties. At the same and to produce alternative urban time, new collectives and publics commons, which would pave the way entered Rog, coupled with a flurry of for the development of the future activities that aimed to seek solutions Rog32. for wider-scale issues (such as the European refugee crisis that was at its After the period of initial tolerance and peak in 2015), while also introducing increased conflict between the City Rog and its autonomous spirit to the of Ljubljana and the users of Rog, a public of Ljubljana via factory tours, slightly different management ethos parties, concerts, literary readings, was introduced in the squatted area, and performances34. Even before focusing mostly on stopping the plans the eviction attempts in the summer of the municipality at the time. This of 2016, it is evident that Rog users can be described as “management tried to change public perception by persistence”, where the users, and re-establish themselves as an although deprived of basic amenities active part of the urban space; this such as electricity, heating and water, can be described as “management managed to consistently deliver a by embeddedness”, where practices continuous stream of alternative and activities not only addressed the content and activities, albeit in a less- cultural and artistic gap in Ljubljana, organised fashion (e.g. infrequent but also filled in institutional and assemblies and less consensus- urban gaps (e.g. refugee crisis). It can building regarding actions). be argued that the goal of certain Rog users here was to become a When plans for the new Rog Centre more embedded entity in the urban were established, it became quite life of the city and establish better clear that the spaces where most relationships with the majority of activities were taking place within the citizens around the area35. autonomous area were in immediate jeopardy. As all ancillary buildings would have to be destroyed to pave way for the development of the new 46 The Value of Autonomous

Gate barricades Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 47 The Value of Autonomous

Despite the momentum gained Thus, the last years of Rog after 2016, from the uprising of summer 2016, are characterised by diminished conflicts started to emerge within the actions and a focus on basic community, which were exacerbated operations, with the ultimate hope of by the financial and mental pressures another insurgence of new collective of a potentially lengthy legal battle. activities and programmes. Such Within the many groups in Rog, practices were scarce but meaningful different hierarchies and priorities for the continuation of Rog in this final existed, which rendered the process stage as a token of creative rebellion. of collective organisation and self- Whereas several groups were still management very contentious. active but aware that things may Disenchantment between established be ending soon, the last period of groups and users ensued as it was organising at Rog can be described perceived that the demolition of the as “management by disorientation”, area was imminent. This acceptance, highlighting the perplexity of self- coupled with the inability to establish a organisation and collective action in a unified entity in order to negotiate how space that was diminishing materially the space can be used as an urban and ideologically. alternative, led to many groups leaving Rog in 2018.

The period of 2016-2018 was one of intense dialogues that unfortunately manifested in certain groups not following the dialogical rules necessary to build consensus through reciprocal relationships of mutual exchange, agreement and constructive disagreement36. The possibility to enact political activism was then left to a small team of Rog users, who also had to deal with the legal costs and the increasing migrant crisis. Other groups continued to exist within Rog, albeit only focusing on their own activities and programmes. 48 The Value of Autonomous

The revitalisation of the city

In order to better understand the events that led to the eviction of Autonomous Rog from a macroscopic view, it is worth highlighting the path of Ljubljana’s revitalisation in the post-socialist era through a series of market-driven visions and decisions.

Contrary to most post-socialist and coupled with a reluctant local cities, Ljubljana’s socio-spatial population, Ljubljana remained in need transformation was highlighted by of revitalisation. prosperity and increased quality of life, both in the centre and the periphery. Another characteristic of the city As Svirčić Godovac and Kerbler37 centre of Ljubljana in the 1990s was highlight, Ljubljana benefitted from a the growing rent and value gap, as harmonisation of the initial processes elements of the built environment was of privatization and commercialization not delivering substantial economic with the processes of adaptation and social value to the city. Rog to EU recommendations and laws Factory was an illustrative example, much earlier than in other countries, having stood empty for over a decade which led to a swifter transition to a before the squatters took over. capitalistic economy. Through this initiative, the squatting communities decreased the value These developments were also gap, by engaging in varied activities compounded by retail and leisure and generating social and other types decentralisation attempts that were of value. increasingly popular in other parts of Europe since the 1970s, where the The city administration that took over first waves of retail decentralisation in 2006 was the most successful in moved the bulk of shopping and terms of revitalisation, measured for leisure activities in the suburbs38. An instance, by the amount of tourist example of such a strategy was the footfall. The provision of hotel beds erection of shopping malls at the grew by 57% between 2008 and fringes of Ljubljana in the 1990s, which 201739, the length of overnight stays in inevitably lured retail or casual visitors the city increased by 165 % between away from the city centre. Without a 2010 and 201940. Moreover, Ljubljana viable retail or entertainment provision had one of the highest growth 49 The Value of Autonomous

rates of housing prices in Europe, Autonomous Rog was seen as a demonstrating an increase of 27% in nuisance for the institutional plans the last two years39. It would appear of revitalisation and redevelopment, that a process of gentrification was since its value and potential were taking place in Ljubljana before the never acknowledged, leading to the pandemic hit. eventual eviction of its users.

Amidst such gentrification attempts, it is important to take a closer look at the lack of production spaces. Active production facilities in proximity of the city centre have been a common characteristic of the post- socialist urban landscape up until the 1990s or even later, as opposed to most western cities where urban regeneration took place much earlier. In Ljubljana most of the former urban industrial areas located in proximity to city centre, had already been regenerated in the last twenty years, for example Mesarska and areas in Spodnja Šiška - part of Šiška, located close to the city centre (e.g. Slovenija vino), while Tobačna was auctioned for redevelopment, as seen previously.

In such an ever-changing urban landscape, Rog factory was one of the last providers of vast, decayed space. As gentrification and post-socialist regeneration engulfed the city centre of Ljubljana, resulting in raised prices and lack of production/ multi-purpose spaces, Rog remained the last easily accessible space that was both open and affordable to users who were unable to seek opportunities elsewhere. 50 The Value of Autonomous

Further factors contributing to the collapse of Autonomous Rog Place leadership vs neo-liberal urban entrepreneurialism

When examining Autonomous Factory the alternative narrative of the Rog Rog from a leadership perspective, users proved to be a decisive factor it can be argued that the collective in sustaining the dominant urban place leadership that a plethora of narrative of the gentrified, safe and group users and individuals exercised clean city. By doing this however, the during the majority of the occupation, city may have lost an opportunity to was directly opposed to the notion of shift their style of municipalism from exerting control and empowerment urban entrepreneurialism based on by the city administration for the ‘speculation’42 (speculating what the promotion of a specific agenda. new Centre Rog can bring in terms of return of investment, number of The case of Rog highlights these visitors, number of programmes oppositional styles, as the non- aimed for the local citizens, etc.) to hierarchical place leadership urban entrepreneurialism based on structures that promoted (for the most ‘experimentation’ (harnessing the part) collaboration and consensus knowledge and social value produced came into direct conflict with the for almost 15 years in Rog and vision of the city that challenged and translating them with the help of Rog opposed such priorities by promoting users into progressive and inclusive the narrative of the gentrified city and programmes for a new centre). the “good consumer/ citizen” mould in their plans for the new Centre Rog. Such governmental practices are pertinent to the classic urban entrepreneurialism idea of a city government that prioritises capital attraction and economic growth at the expense of intensifying social exclusion and social inequality41. In this clash of different leadership styles, the power exerted by the capacity of the city administration to bypass 51 The Value of Autonomous

The attitude of the general public

The attitude of the general public it would appear that at its peak towards Rog had never been properly Autonomous Rog was more supported measured. The interviews conducted by the general public as opposed up during our research, however, show to its last era, coinciding with reduced that support was rather limited, activity and reduced transparency especially during the last years of about life at Autonomous Rog. Autonomous Rog. Many would either consider Rog dangerous and avoid visiting or would simply not know what was going on in terms of content or entertainment. Additionally, since some of the groups at Rog dealt with marginalised communities like asylum seekers, migrants, and people with addiction challenges, this would occasionally trigger NIMBY (not in my back yard) reactions. On the other hand, Autonomous Rog used to attract diverse social groups and communities such as the local youth frequenting the sport facilities, which would increase its legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

It can be argued, however, that the challenges Rog faced after the unsuccessful eviction in 2016 (lack of amenities, financial troubles due to the legal disputes, general tiredness of producers at Rog living under a constant threat of eviction) decreased the amount of content produced, resulting in decreased attendance and hence, decreased awareness and acceptance. This culminated in the alleged tip-off from the neighbours of Rog that the premises were empty, which led the City of Ljubljana to begin the eviction and demolition attempts in January 2021. Difficult though it may be to substantiate these arguments without the appropriate research, 52 The Value of Autonomous

Inside main building Photo: Goran Jakovac 2016 53 The Value of Autonomous

Material Factors

A further factor contributing to the The collapse of Autonomous Rog can demise of Autonomous Rog relates be attributed to – to the material state of the factory area. Despite the well-intended Material, social and operational efforts of various groups of users and factors: individuals throughout the history #1 Reduced visitor attendance and low of Autonomous Rog, the place itself numbers of active users, has always been in need of structural #2 Decreased content production, and ecological intervention, not least due to the fact that it lacked #3 Decreased or unmeasured support running water and electricity (a from the general public,

factor that was pivotal for the initial #4 Lack of managerial structures, success of Metelkova in the 1990s). #5 Low morale among active users As former users acknowledged due to increased legal expenses, when interviewed, the groups at internal and external conflicts, Autonomous Rog were constantly faced with material/ physical #6 Material state of the buildings and constraints (such as heating in the other physical restraints such as water winter) that necessitated a more and electricity. focused decision-making approach than the one that Rog’s autonomous Institutional factors: managerial structure was able to #1 Top-down revitalisation and offer. Even though the groups were redevelopment attempts from the part ultimately responsible for cleaning, of the city, heating and maintaining each #2 Exclusion of direct citizen individual space, the lack of general participation and involvement in oversight led to an uneven situation decision-making and planning, throughout the factory, with certain areas remaining dangerous for both #3 Institutional investment that users and the general public. It can be prioritises bigger developments and argued that the material collapse of projects over current city needs,

Rog Factory was simply a matter #4 Inability to engage in fruitful of time. dialogue with citizens and the professional classes, Ultimately, the end of Autonomous Rog came as a result of both material #5 Conflicting policy priorities, only and social or operational factors. Even partially based on research and though the ongoing conflict with the relevant expertise,

City of Ljubljana constitutes the most #6 Rigid forms of urban governance obvious cause, it would be important and leadership that are fearful of to summarise the reasons behind the experimentation. collapse of Autonomous Rog, below. 54 The Value of Autonomous

The Future of Rog and lessons for other Autonomous urban centres

“The challenges of the society of the future are no longer in cultural industries as a driving force of the economy, but rather social and ecological. In this process, culture in the broadest sense can actually be a driving force of development, but not of development based on growth, but of a compassionate society.” Nevenka Koprivšek, 30.01.20211

We dedicate this last part of the report as we prompt the City of the Ljubljana to suggestions and recommendations to acknowledge and safeguard their for the preservation of autonomous value and their potential now and in urban centres that can be easily the future, as both produced relevant implamented by local authorities. We value for the city and contributed also make recommendations specific to the diversity of urban activities to Autonomous Rog and Metelkova, Ljubljana. 55 The Value of Autonomous

Immediate actions

1. Mapping of content and activities at 3. Experimental places Autonomous Rog through the years Cities need experimental places. To this day no comprehensive Not everything a city needs has to efforts have been made to map and be developed in a pre-planned, document the full extent of activities top-down capacity. Since the that took place at Rog through the urban landscape as we know it is years. set to change following the global pandemic, climate change, and other We recommend the production of socio-economic factors, the time is a comprehensive list or interactive ripe for urban experimentation and map detailing the activities, contents citizen participation. and communities who were present at Rog, as a first step towards further We recommend that diverse analysis and evaluation. communities - such as the ones operating at Rog - should be provided 2. Revival of activities and contents with sufficient space immediately that produced value in order to create, experiment and We argue that the direct beneficiaries design the next steps in urban life. of the value produced at Rog, as Such experimental spaces should presented earlier in the present, be accessible to all, located within were: (1) the city and the inhabitants of reach from the city centre, and open Ljubljana and (2) marginalised groups to all forms of communal or individual unable to find comparable content or expression. service elsewhere. Moreover, some of the space at Rog was used (3) for 4. Museum or exhibition for legitimate or illegitimate personal Autonomous Rog benefit. These three broad categories Witnessing the eviction and the could be used to cluster activity at Rog demolition of Rog was emotional and estimate the production of value for both the users of Rog and some in a more tangible manner, following parts of the general population of independent evaluation and ensuring Ljubljana. Support was shown by way that administrative costs are kept to a of protests, political graffiti, open minimum. letters and petitions. Individuals users and communities had invested We recommend that activities and a significant share of their energy, content falling under the first two creativity, labour, time and means into categories should be rehomed and the success of Rog. supported by the City of Ljubljana. Activities of elusive value could be We recommend the dedication of a considered as “experimental places” - museum or exhibition for Autonomous see below. Rog (perhaps in the premises of the new Rog Centre) as a sign of respect 56 The Value of Autonomous

for the contributions the communities We recommend the establishment of made to the city, in order to celebrate a legal framework for the protection the intangible cultural heritage of of Metelkova, as part of Slovenia’s Trubarjeva street and its surrounding cultural heritage, in order to safeguard district. its premises and programmes from future threats, as the ones witnessed 5. Preservation of Metelkova in social media following the As Metelkova approaches its 30th demolition of Rog. year anniversary, it is of paramount importance that political and legal actions are taken for its preservation.

Grafitti Photo: Goran Jakovac 2017 57 The Value of Autonomous

Long-term actions

6. Dynamic archive for autonomous experimentation, production and places participation in cultural and civil life. One of the challenges autonomous Support should be offered to creative places face is the lack of outgoing individuals and communities who information and clarity as to the are unable to find suitable space, types of activity that take place in especially at the first stages of their their premises. This can contribute development. to a feeling of fear or mistrust from the part of the general public. 9. Management model for We recommend the creation and Autonomous Places maintenance of a dynamic archive for We recommend the creation of a autonomous places that will follow the broad network of interested parties activities taking place and the content including, but not limited to, past and produced in real-time. current squatters, NGOs, academics, artists, community groups and 7. Framework for the protection of neighbours, representatives of the autonomous places city and the broader public, that would Stemming directly from the immediate work on designing a management aim to preserve Metelkova, there model for autonomous places needs to be a broader discussion on based on the values of freedom and the protection of autonomous places participation and recognising the now and in the future, since their value relationship between the autonomous and contributions to the city have place and the wider community. been noted. As these places produce This endeavour should respect the value for the benefit of the city and its dialectic process and not impose citizens, it is important that they are decisions top-down, ensuring that not not threatened with litigation, eviction any one point of view dominates the and demolition attempts that disrupt process. Recognising the inherent their activities. Arguments for the difficulty in reaching consensus - and preservation of Autonomous Places appreciating that this is part of the can be based on the protection of very nature of autonomous places Cultural Heritage (in the case of more - we wish to emphasise that there is established squats) or even their value in dialogue and the exchange of public good status, as recognised by ideas per se. the Slovenian Supreme Court in 2019. 10. Links to social programmes 8. Long-term provision of space for Communities in autonomous places production and experimentation are often close to beneficiaries of The lack of production and welfare/ social programmes, offering experimental space in Ljubljana help and advice when institutional is evident. The city is in need of channels cannot. More often than affordable space that can facilitate not, NGOs and other relevant officials 58 The Value of Autonomous

have turned to the groups at Rog for 13. Dispute resolution mechanism support with their programmes. This As disputes are expected to arise has been acknowledged by some between the users of autonomous of the users of Rog interviewed for places and state or municipal actors, the purposes of the present. The it is recommended that an alternative link between the institutional welfare dispute resolution mechanism is channels and the autonomous groups designed that would bypass the court of activists should be made clear system, offering the opportunity in order to ensure that all cases are for both sides to be heard. Such a handled with transparency and to mechanism would ensure a fair and provide recognition for the service open process and would help avoid provided by the autonomous groups. the forced eviction and demolition attempts as witnessed in January 11. Access to small grants 2021. It would be grounded on the It has already been established principles of mutual respect and that communities of squatters would recognise the value that produce value. We recommend autonomous places produce and the establishment of a small grants the need to encourage citizen scheme to assist in the continuation participation in urban life. of such value-producing activities, whereby eligible individuals or communities can gain access to funding following a simple administrative procedure.

12. Minimum Safety standards As autonomous places are often found in abandoned and dilapidated buildings, they can pose safety hazards to their users and visitors. Some minimal safety standards could be achieved with the help of municipal actors, as the burden of preservation is too taxing and complex for the groups of users to undertake. Such support should be offered in consultation with the groups of users and without compromising their autonomy. 59 The Value of Autonomous

Cats Photo: Jenny Kanellopoulou 2019 60 The Value of Autonomous

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The Value of Autonomous Rog

Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Place Management All Saints Campus - Oxford Road Manchester M15 6BH, UK www.mmu.ac.uk, www.placemanagement.org

IPoP – Institute for Spatial Policies Tržaška 2, 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia www.ipop.si

Authors: Jenny Kanellopoulou Nikos Ntounis Aidan Cerar

Design: Darja Klančar, www.darka.si Back cover photo: Jenny Kanellopoulou

Manchester, Ljubljana; June 2021