Philanthropic foundations and the city Droom en Daad

This paper makes a critical analysis of the role played by philanthropic foundations in local governments. Specifically, the privileged position that makes foundations able to influence (cultural) urban planning agenda’s, which results in changing the symbolic economy and cultural identity of cities to their vision. The central question in this thesis is: How does the cultural philanthropy of Droom en Daad shape the symbolic and spatial dynamics of urban development in Rotterdam, and what forms of capital are mobilized in this process? To answer this question Critical Discourse Analysis and a case study on Droom en Daad in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is implemented. The results show that Droom en Daad uses their position to implement changes in their favour. These changes can lead to acceleration of processes inclusion and exclusion and are linked to gentrification and social stratification. Further research on the influence of philanthropic foundations in the Netherlands is needed to understand how these foundations implement change in society.