urban transformation – Manuel Garcia-Ruiz

Live music, urban transformation and cultural resistance in Lisbon

How live music in Lisbon reflects tensions between touristification, gentrification, and cultural resistance in the contemporary city.

Gentrification and Touristification in Madrid

A new study on Madrid reveals how the interplay between gentrification and touristification is reshaping central neighbourhoods like Lavapiés and pushing vulnerable populations toward the urban periphery.

15-Minute City and Nightlife Decline in Barcelona

How the 15-minute city model is linked to the decline of nightlife in Barcelona. New research on urban planning, policy, and night studies.

Tourist nightlife and the colonization of the urban night in Lisbon

A critical analysis of tourist nightlife in Lisbon and how tourism is reshaping the urban night through power, gender, and governance dynamics.

Spectacularized Nocturnality: Presenting at Club Health Ghent

On May 14, 2025, I had the pleasure of presenting a talk at the 13th Club Health International Conference on Nightlife, Substance Use and Related Health Issues, held in the vibrant city of Ghent, Belgium. My contribution took place during the opening plenary session and was titled “Spectacularized Nocturnality: The Eventification and Touristification of the Night through Culture-Led MassiveContinueContinue reading “Spectacularized Nocturnality: Presenting at Club Health Ghent”

ICNS.LX 2022

Night Studies is a transdisciplinary field with works from different social and human sciences. The research covers a wide range of topics related to the so-called ‘Nocturnal World(s)’, including a good number of geographical, cultural, and social contexts; formal and informal practices; and normative and non-normative behaviours. In recent years the study of the night,ContinueContinue reading “ICNS.LX 2022”

“The Night Is No Longer Ours”: Article Published in Público / P3

I’m pleased to share that my article “The Night Is No Longer Ours” was published in the Portuguese newspaper Público, via its P3 platform dedicated to culture and contemporary thought. This short piece reflects on how our relationship with the urban night has changed. Long before the pandemic, many already felt that the night was slipping out ofContinueContinue reading ““The Night Is No Longer Ours”: Article Published in Público / P3”