'City of Culture' and Mega Events as sites of local cultural decision making

Research Paper

Partners

University of Warwick

Author

Dr David Wright and Dr Vishalakshi Roy

Description

This paper examines the policy legacies and governance implications of large-scale cultural events, such as the UK City of Culture programme. Using comparative case studies, it interrogates how major events influence investment patterns, civic participation and urban transformation. The authors find that while these events can catalyse regeneration and enhance cultural confidence, their benefits are often uneven and short-lived without robust post-event planning. They highlight how “event exceptionalism” can distort long-term strategies, leading to short funding cycles and unsustainable infrastructure. The paper argues for embedding major events within coherent regional cultural strategies that align with devolution priorities, sustain legacy funding, and distribute benefits across wider geographies. It concludes that mega-events should be treated not as isolated showcases but as catalysts for sustained, community-centred policy innovation.

Published as part of The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK.

August 2024